Officials in the Fraser Health region are warning the public after a surge in deaths blamed on suspected drug overdoses — 17 in one week. "We see this, really, as a hidden epidemic," said Lee, who said 70 per cent of suspected drug overdose deaths take place at home. The death toll from drug overdoses, which spans the Fraser Health region from Burnaby to Hope, is also disproportionately hitting men. Health officials are trying to find ways to intervene long before a secret substance abuse issue becomes an emergency or death, especially in this hard-to-reach demographic. Lee said health officials are trying to better screen people visiting the emergency department for possible substance issues in an effort to make interventions.

Source: CBC News August 25, 2017 21:36 UTC