Drug overdose deaths hit 10-year high

Drug overdoses in Victoria have hit a decade high, with heroin the deadliest drug in 2022.

Figures from the Coroners Court of Victoria found 22 people died from drug overdoses in Greater Geelong last year.

That is one few than in 2021.

Seven people died from heroin locally last year.

Victoria recorded 549 overdose deaths last year, passing the previous peak of 543 in 2018.

Of those deaths, 414 were in Melbourne, and 135 were recorded in regional Victoria.