Acknowledging International Overdose Awareness Day
At the end of this month, residents in our region will acknowledge International Overdose Awareness Day. This day aims to not just honour those from our community who have been lost to drug poisoning, but also to advocate for more resources to help residents in our community stay safe.
“[This] is an opportunity most importantly for us to connect and remember the human side, meaning the people that are impacted by overdose. That includes people we’ve lost, our relatives, our family, and just all of the feelings and grief that go along with that. The second element, I would highlight too, is that it’s also a chance to reflect on the reasons why we might be in situations like this and the reality that drug poisoning deaths continue to rise or be an extremely high rate,” said Tristan Dreilich, Manitoba Harm Reduction Network (MHRN), Network Coordinator for Selkirk.
Dreilich explained that though the provincial government has now committed to more transparency with regards to overdose/drug poisoning data there has been a lack of data in the past that has made it hard to get a good picture of the issue.
In addition to this day being one where the human impact of overdose is acknowledged, it’s also a day to spread information about programs and services and other ways that people can be safer.
People who use substances will likely be aware that the MHRN advises that if you are going to use substances three ways to stay safer are to — not use substances alone, carry Naloxone, and go low and start slow.
One of the other major ways that everyone can help in an overdose situation is to carry Naloxone with them, which is a very safe medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.
“We encourage everyone to carry naloxone. Sometimes folks, tell me, ‘I don’t use substances, I don’t need Naloxone,’ And I say, ‘Well, great, actually, you’re one of the folks that we actually want to carry Naloxone.’ Maybe some of the thinking is that if I don’t use substances, I don’t need the Naloxone but actually, if you’re experiencing drug poisoning, you’re likely not going to be able to apply the Naloxone on yourself,” he explained.
Naloxone kits are available locally at the Shell Gas Station on Main St. in Selkirk, which is open 24 hours, as well as from MHRN at the Selkirk Community Health Office during open hours.
Another element of International Overdose Awareness Day that the MHRN does in all the work that they do is to confront the stigma associated with the use of substances. This is important because that stigma or judgment from others can become a barrier to people seeking out help when they are ready to do so. This is why professionals like those working for the MHRN often use the term drug poisoning instead of overdose.
“People aren’t meaning to over-consume the substances. They aren’t being necessarily negligent. It’s that the supply is unsafe,” said Dreilich.
He explained that another part of confronting the stigma is understanding that drug poisonings are sometimes thought of as connected to someone who is addicted to substances but it can touch anyone’s life.
“Part of it is recognizing that this is going to impact us all in one way or the other. I don’t mean that in a threatening way. I mean it in that the reality is that the supply is so unsafe, that even, people experimenting are at risk. It’s not just folks that our society has a tendency to write off as addicts, which is, in our view, dehumanizing, but it’s also folks who are trying substances for the first time who are at risk. It’s got to be about safety for everyone and stigma can prevent us from having honest conversations about that,” said Dreilich.
Overall, he’d like to see more resources in our community for all people in our community regardless of their situation to be able to safely live lives as part of our community.
Dreilich also wanted to give a shout-out to our local peer group, members of whom make our community safer by helping each other and often take on personal expenses and are subject to judgment as they try to make our community a safer place.
As for events that will take place to acknowledge International Overdose Awareness Day, the MHRN will be going to and invite others to go to the Manitoba Legislature in the morning to rally to let our politicians know how important keeping people safe is. Locally, in the evening, there will also be a candlelit vigil at the Medicine Garden on Main St. to honour those that our community has lost. If you would like to show your support before the end of the month, there will also be a candle-making session on August 13 at Selkirk Huddle. Keep up with the MHRN’s Instagram and Facebook page for final time and place details for these events.
“[The candles will] be the very visual representation of our love and our commitment,” said Dreilich.
If you are interested in learning more about harm reduction resources in our community, you can reach out to Dreilich at tristan@mhrn.ca or by phone at 204-785-7501.
“[Drug poisoning prevention is about] leading with our hearts, the more we can do that, the rest of it will fall in place. But without it, it’s really difficult work. I hope we can continue to move in that direction,” he said.
