Selfadvocatenet.com in support of the International Overdose Awareness Day August 31st
Purpose of this awareness is help out our self advocates with disabilities in the awareness of bad things of overdosing on drugs other substances stop overdosing on. The intent is link what being talked about why the purpose of the day is August 31st how got started will try find what can do to prevent of overdose.
1. So to start is about international Overdose Awareness Day
International Overdose Awareness Day originated in Melbourne, Australia in 2001.
More than a decade on the day has grown into a global campaign. Last year almost 500 events were held across the world and 2018 promises to break that record.
From 2012 International Overdose Awareness Day was organised by the not-for-profit Australian public health organisation Anex, which in April 2014 became a program of Penington Institute.
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on August 31st each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death.
It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.
Overdose Day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable. Wear Silver to show your support.
It is estimated that globally there were 187,100 (range: 98,300 – 231,400) drug-related deaths (mostly overdoses) in 2013 with opioid overdose the largest category.
The United States is in the midst of a drug overdose epidemic. More people died from drug overdoses in 2014 than in any other year on record. Deaths from drug overdose are up among both men and women, all races, and adults of nearly all ages.
More than three out of five drug overdose deaths involve an opioid. Overdose deaths from opioids, including prescription opioids and heroin, have nearly quadrupled since 1999. Overdoses involving opioids killed more than 28,000 people in 2014. Over half of those deaths were from prescription opioids.
During 2014, a total of 47,055 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States, representing a 1-year increase of 6.5 per cent, from 13.8 per 100,000 persons in 2013 to 14.7 per 100,000 persons in 2014.
For more information and resources please visit the IOAD website at http://www.overdoseday.com/.
or go to this link from Govt of Canada on this as well click here
Another place can check out is Govt of British Columbia website click here
check out to College of Pharmacists of British Columbia website for information website click here
Minister’s statement on International Overdose Awareness Day
Victoria Friday, August 31, 2018 8:15 AM
Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has issued the following statement on International Overdose Awareness Day:
“Today marks International Overdose Awareness Day, and we honour and remember those we have lost to this terrible crisis. Last year, we lost 1,450 people here in B.C., and by the end of this day three or four more British Columbians will die from a drug overdose as a result of a poisoned and unpredictable illegal drug supply.
“This means that we are losing more people from accidental overdoses than from suicides, car accidents and homicides combined. These are our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, co-workers and friends, and the families and communities they leave behind are filled with tremendous grief and heartbreak.
“Over the last year, I have met with people who have suffered unimaginable heartbreak. They have shared their experiences with me. They talked about their profound loss and, remarkably, they talked about their commitment to making the system better. That means closing the gaps, breaking the silos and opening the doors so that anyone who needs care and support can receive it immediately. There is a lot to be done, and together with the support of the B.C. Green Party caucus, our government is committed to turning the tide on this epidemic of addiction and overdose.
“We also know that addiction affects everyone differently. There is no single solution or approach that will work for every person. We have been ramping up access to treatment and recovery options, including increasing the number of prescribers by 36% — an increase that has resulted in almost double the number of people receiving opioid substitution therapy and injectable opioid substitution therapy. We have opened more overdose prevention and supervised consumption sites. With our partners, we have distributed more than 114,000 naloxone kits, so that people can respond if called upon. We are establishing therapeutic recovery communities and other dedicated resources for youth.
“Admittedly, too many people are still dying, too many are using alone and, too often, shame and stigma are keeping people isolated and vulnerable. At the same time, we are seeing some success, because we know more options are available with more opportunities for people to create their own unique pathway to hope and healing. Every person we can move onto a treatment program removes them from the unpredictability and toxic illegal drug supply currently available on our streets.
“As B.C.’s first Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, I hear every day from British Columbians who are seized with both urgency and compassion, and this has driven our response as a province.
“Thousands of lives have been saved by frontline workers, first responders, peers and volunteers who continue to demonstrate incredible resilience and dedication. We are also seeing more people living with addiction come forward in spite of fear and stigma to seek help for themselves and others. There is a shift happening, and many of us are having courageous conversations that open the door to treatment and recovery.
“With our unprecedented community partnerships and the open-heartedness of British Columbians, our progress gives me hope. While we can’t do this alone, and we know it won’t be easy, I know we can all do our part to educate ourselves and treat this complex issue with the compassion and empathy it truly deserves.”
This is on BC Govt website go to link here
Canada Govt Statement from the Minister of Health on International Overdose Awareness Day
August 31, 2018 Ottawa, ON Health Canada
OTTAWA – Today marks International Overdose Awareness Day, a day to remember loved ones we have lost to drug-related overdoses and to reflect on the tragedy of these preventable deaths. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness about how stigma affects people who use drugs.
In Canada, we are experiencing a serious and growing opioid crisis. In 2017, there were approximately 4,000 apparent opioid-related deaths. The majority of these deaths were caused by accidental overdoses. Each was a tragic loss of a valuable life– a family member, a loved one, a friend. This crisis is devastating communities across the country and affecting Canadians from all walks of life.
Despite the efforts of organizations across the country who are working to shine a light on this crisis, people who use drugs continue to be stigmatized. Stigma, or negative attitudes or beliefs, can have a major impact on the quality of life of people who use drugs, people in recovery and their families.
Stigma destroys self-esteem and relationships, makes it harder for people to access treatment, jobs and housing, and leads to discrimination or isolation. It can prevent people from accessing critical health and social services, and often leads to further health issues.
No one level of government or single sector can address this complex social, health and safety issue alone. Reversing the trend of this overdose epidemic is a shared responsibility and requires collaborative action by many stakeholder groups, people with lived and living experience and all levels of government. We all have a role to play in reducing stigma for people who use drugs.
Next week, I will be hosting a symposium that will place the voices of people with lived and living experience at the centre of the discussion to help end stigma and promote increased access to treatment services. The Opioid Symposium will allow us to recognize the different aspects of the crisis and enable us to discuss opportunities for continued collaboration to address the drivers of this crisis and prevent future tragedies.
Together, we can #StopOverdoses.
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, P.C., M.P.
This on Govt of Canada website go to link here
