International Overdose Awareness Day, the world’s largest campaign to end overdose, is a time to remember and a time to act.
This year in Campbell River, city officials have proclaimed this coming Tuesday, Aug. 31st as Overdose Awareness Day, with the local Community Action Team (CAT) set to host an awareness event.
It’s happening at Spirit Square along Shoppers Row, kicking off at 11:00 am and wrapping up around 3:00 pm.
Organizers aim to raise awareness of the effects of the drug poisoning crisis in the local community, while also honouring those who lost their lives during the ongoing public health emergency.
Within the North Vancouver Island region specifically, between January and May of this year, the BC Coroners Service reported 27 deaths due to illicit toxic drug supply. Province-wide, between that same time period, the death rate jumps to 851.
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Island Health medical health officer, Charmaine Enns says International Overdose Awareness Day is “so important.” She finds that the overdose crisis has affected us all in one way or another.
“This continues to be such a significant problem for so many people with such devastating consequences. We can’t just keep putting bandaids on this, we really need to all go in on this,” she tells My Campbell River Now.
She continues, “I’m thankful that there’s a day to raise awareness, but hopefully we can be aware and live our lives knowing that this is an issue that’s happening every day.”
At the Campbell River event, community partners will join the Community Action Team on-site with education stations, pop-up naloxone training, community art-making, and resource tables.
“This event is possible because of community partnerships; so, thank you to all of the organizations, people, and other community groups who are assisting the CAT with this event,” organizers add.
