Pubdate: Fri, 30 Jun 2017 Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2017 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers Contact: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531 Page: A2 DRUG USERS URGED TO QUIT, TAKE CARE Interior Health is warning people about rising drug overdose rates and urging users of illegal drugs to not use them. "The number of deaths from drug overdoses continues to increase locally and across the province," said Dr. Silvina Mema, medical health officer with Interior Health. "The Okanagan is one of the areas experiencing the largest impact with a greater than 50 per cent increase in illicit drug overdose death rates compared to 2016." The biggest challenge facing IH is reaching people who use drugs who are not on the streets, said Mema. "There is a big misconception out there that this overdose crisis is only affecting people who use heroin and are street-involved, and that is simply not the case," said Mema. "Overdoses are happening on the street, in private homes and among all socio-economic groups. "We are urging everyone who uses illegal drugs to avoid using, if at all possible, or to take precautions to prevent overdose." - --- MAP posted-by: Matt