August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day

Aug 15, 2023

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day.

Today, we remember, without stigma, those who have died from overdose, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.

In 2022, Canada saw 7,328 opioid related deaths. That is an average of 20 deaths a day. [Stats Canada].

Overdose touches people and communities in many ways.

With the theme for 2023, “Recognizing those people who go unseen,” we join organizations around the world in honoring the people whose lives have been altered by overdose. They are the family and friends grieving the loss of a loved one; workers in healthcare and support services extending strength and compassion; or spontaneous first responders who selflessly assume the role of lifesaver.

Too often, however, these people grieve in silence because of stigma.

RESOURCES

READ

• Help End the Overdose Crisis: 7 Ways to Reduce Stigma
• How to Support Someone Who Lost a Loved One to Overdose
• What Not to Say When Someone Loses a Loved One to Overdose
• The Pain of Stigma: Recognizing Stigma and its Impacts
• Insights on Substance Use: Understanding the Science on Substance Use Disorder
• Stigma Ends with Me: Changing the Conversation about Substance Use
• Tips for talking about Substance Use
  

WEBSITES

• Canada Drug Rehab: canadadrugrehab.ca is a free online directory of alcohol and drug rehab programs and other addiction-related services in Canada.
• Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA): CCSA is a non-governmental organization to provide national leadership on substance use and to advance solutions to address alcohol- and other drug-related harms.
• FARCanada: (Families for Addiction Recovery) is a Canadian charity founded by parents of children who have struggled with addiction.

CRISIS AND SUPPORT SERVICES

NORS: NORS is an overdose prevention hotline for Canadians providing loving, confidential, nonjudgmental support for you, whenever and wherever you use drugs. READ MORE.

This year on August 31, let’s acknowledge and support the people in our communities who go unrecognized by raising awareness of the hidden impacts of overdose, promoting education of overdose response, and reaching out to politicians to make lasting, lifesaving policy changes.

Source: https://www.overdoseday.com/