Local drug coalition members are hosting their fifth annual event in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Medicine Hat Drug Coalition members are hoping to spread awareness about and reduce stigma surrounding substance use during their annual International Overdose Awareness Day event Aug. 31.
Now in its fifth year, the public event was created with the goal of providing Hatters a welcoming space to learn about substance use and overdose, as well as recognize and remember individuals impacted by such.
“The Alberta government started keeping statistics on overdose deaths in 2016, when fentanyl seemed to becoming more prevalent,” coalition community member Kym Porter told the News. “(During that time, Medicine Hat’s) drug coalition could see more and more people dying, so we felt this would be a good way to help honour those people who had died, bring awareness to the community and try to change the stigma which is associated with some drug overdoses.”
Representatives from several local organizations specializing in harm reduction, health and grief counselling will be present at the event, sharing information with attendees and providing connections for those in need of support. Attendees are also invited to partake in free naloxone kit training conducted by a local pharmacy or enjoy a free barbecue dinner and live music.
“We just want anyone in the public to come out, learn, build awareness and get trained in naloxone so they could save a life because more people are being affected (by substance use),” said Porter. “It is becoming more prevalent and it can happen to anybody, regardless of how they were raised.
“The people who are dying and the people who are users, are somebody’s loved one (so) the more people learn, the less stigma is going to be associated and the more likely people are not going to hide their substance use and will reach out for support.”
In a further effort to raise awareness and honour individuals who passed as a result of substance overdoses, the Saamis Tepee is turning purple beginning today through Aug. 31.
