Work being done to minimize number of overdose deaths

The Medical Health Officer for North Vancouver Island says work is being done to address the increase in overdose deaths in the region.

A public health emergency was declared in BC in April due to a spike in overdose deaths.

Doctor Charmaine Enns says they have seen a steady increase in overdoses in 2016.

Enns says there are several immediate and long-term strategies that health officers are working on to address the issue, including the availability of naloxone to treat opiod overdoses.