One of the B.C. Liberal government's best known cabinet ministers plans to retire from provincial politics.

Health Minister Terry Lake has revealed that he won't run again in Kamloops–North Thompson in the 2017 provincial election.

His announcement came just over a week after the NDP nominated Kamloops and District Labour Council president Barb Nederpel to contest the seat.

Over the first six months of 2016, 371 B.C. residents died of drug overdoses, with most of them linked to fentanyl. Delta police reported that there were nine overdoses in a 20-minute period last night involving what's believed to be fentanyl-tainted drugs.

As health minister, Lake has struggled to come up with an effective response to this crisis.

To date, the provincial government has steadfastly refused to publicly support more supervised-injection sites modelled on Insite, which is in the 100 block of East Hastings Street in Vancouver.

In a news release Premier Christy Clark described Lake as "an invaluable member of my team" and "a constant champion for Kamloops and the Interior".

"He brings a laser focus to public service and an unparalleled work ethic," Clark said. "He always finds time to help his colleagues in caucus as an advisor and trusted sounding board. Most of all, everyone around him knows he meets every aspect of his work with honesty and integrity."

Lake is a veterinarian and was first elected to the legislature in 2009.