Today, on International Overdose Awareness Day, we take time to honour the lives lost to overdose, support those affected by substance use disorders, and advocate for change. This day is a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, understanding, and action in our fight against the overdose crisis.

Substance abuse does not discriminate; it affects people from all walks of life. Behind each statistic is a person with dreams, struggles, and a story worth telling. By sharing these stories, we break the stigma and create a more supportive environment for those seeking help and healing.

Let’s take this opportunity to:

1. Educate Ourselves and Others: Learn about the signs of overdose and how to respond. Familiarize yourself with resources and support systems available in your community.
2. Support Harm Reduction Efforts: Embrace and advocate for harm reduction strategies, such as access to naloxone (Narcan), supervised consumption sites, and needle exchange programs. These measures save lives and provide crucial support.
3. Honor and Remember: Light a candle or participate in a memorial event to remember those we have lost. Their lives matter, and their memories drive us to keep fighting for a world where overdose is no longer a crisis.
4. Promote Treatment and Recovery: Advocate for increased access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Support policies that offer hope and pathways to recovery for those in need.
5. Reach Out and Listen: Offer support to friends, family, and communities affected by overdose. Sometimes, a listening ear or a helping hand can make all the difference.

Here is a brief overview of the effects commonly abused drugs have on humans. If you see a pattern of these signs/symptoms of drug use occurring to someone you care about it could be time to check in and see if they need help finding resources or support. You will note, in this list, there are drugs that are illicit (would only be able to be obtained from the black market) and there are also drugs that are prescription. Unfortunately it doesn’t matter if a drug is legal, or illegal, it can be abused. We can see this evidenced by the current Opioid Crisis occurring across North America, many of those people become addicted after receiving a prescription from their doctor, and had to turn to the illegal market once they were no longer able to receive the prescription. 

Today, let’s unite with empathy and purpose. Together, we can raise awareness, reduce stigma, and work towards a future where every individual has the chance to thrive. DATAC has also provided a free course for recognizing an overdose and using Nalaxone, you can find that for free here Opioid Overdose Awareness course

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Reach out to local support services or call a crisis hotline. No one has to face this alone. If you are looking for resources within Canada for yourself or someone else we compiled a helpful list of resources for last year’s post which you can take a look at here: Canadian Harm Reduction Resources.