Opioid Pandemic
Fraser Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer’s Report on South Asians1
- Significant increase in overdose deaths in South Asians males under the age of 40 years old with
documented mental health conditions and alcohol and substance abuse addictions - Drug toxicity deaths increased by 255% from 2015-18 compared to 138% among non-South
Asians - Fatal overdoses 186 per 1,000 (18.6%) in South Asian community compared to 110 fatal overdoses
per 1,000 (11%) among non-South Asians, a difference of 7.6% higher fatality rate - Identified among the community’s most vulnerable populations through a needs assessment report
Anecdotal evidence from service providers and community partners working with vulnerable and
marginalized community desperate for South Asian centered services and intervention