RICHMOND — Coroner Ron Stevens delivers the bad news, then offers a slight message of hope.
Steven has collected all of the toxicology reports for 2017 and tallied the year's total of drug-related deaths: 91. That's 35 more than the 56 from 2016, a 62.5 percent increase, as the county's steady climb continues from the 16 drug-related deaths recorded during 2012.
That rate of death continued early during 2018, according to Stevens, but that's where there's now a sliver of hope.
"Lately, there's been a terrific slump in drug-related deaths," Stevens said. "It's encouraging."
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The coroner reported 10 confirmed drug-related deaths so far in 2018 with four cases awaiting final toxicology reports. A total of 14 through March, which marks a quarter of the year, would be on pace for 56 for the year, the same total as 2016.
"It's a good thing, and I hope it stays," Stevens said.