Almost 4,000 Canadians died from opioid-related deaths in 2017.
That statistic B次元官网网址� released by the federal government in June B次元官网网址� shows roughly 1,470 of those deaths took place in B.C. Both numbers are up from previous years and continue to climb.
Robbie Cunningham is one of the 2,978 people whose lives were cut short by an accidental opioid overdose in 2016.
He died alone, says his mother Jenny Howard, just like the 88 per cent of people who are found using what she calls a B次元官网网址減oisoned drug supplyB次元官网网址� indoors, also often alone.
B次元官网网址淗e couldnB次元官网网址檛 share that he was struggling with heroin,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 got to change.B次元官网网址�
In her healing, Howard found solace in reaching out to other families who had experienced a similar tragedy. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 how I found support and understanding for what he was going through.B次元官网网址�
On Aug. 29, to align with , Howard will gather with families, friends, partners and others at Centennial Square for an evening devoted to remembering those lost to the opioid crisis, but also to educate the public.
| Attendees from last year's Victoria event for International Overdose Awareness Day placed messages on origami to loved ones lost to the opioid crisis. Photo contributed |
B次元官网网址淩obbie didnB次元官网网址檛 grow up saying B次元官网网址業 want to be an addict.B次元官网网址� That wasnB次元官网网址檛 in his life plan,B次元官网网址� Howard explains.
The mission: to move people past the stereotypical language associated with drug use, and to reframe addiction as a medical health condition similar to any other health condition one struggles with.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to take time,B次元官网网址� Howard says. B次元官网网址淪tigma is on every level of our society. ItB次元官网网址檚 on a political level and thatB次元官网网址檚 why weB次元官网网址檙e not seeing huge change. We see what it took to legalize marijuana. WeB次元官网网址檙e pushing for decriminalization [of opioids] for a safer drug supply.B次元官网网址�
The event, a collaboration between Moms Stop The Harm, and the South Island Community Overdose Response Network, is part of of overdose and reduce the stigma of drug-related death.
| The response to last year's event to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day was "overwhelming" says Jenny Howard, an organizer who lost her 24-year-old son Robbie Cunningham to an opioid overdose in May, 2016. Photo contributed |
A collection of community agencies will be represented as well as a storyboard project called B次元官网网址淲e Are HumanB次元官网网址� featuring the stories and images of loved ones lost. It puts a human face to the struggle, Howard says.
Attendees are encouraged to bring photos of their loved ones for a memorial table that will be created, while naloxone kits and training will be available for free.
B次元官网网址淵outh are savvy about whatB次元官网网址檚 out there,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淲hat theyB次元官网网址檙e not savvy about is how toxic the drugs are now that are on the street.B次元官网网址�
Last year, the response to the event was B次元官网网址渙verwhelmingB次元官网网址� Howard says, adding that when it came time to call for volunteers this year, each one came with the story of how they had been personally affected by the overdose crisis.
The evening will also include a call to action and rally followed by a candlelight vigil.
B次元官网网址淚 lost my ability to fight for Robbie but IB次元官网网址檓 fighting for another momB次元官网网址檚 child,B次元官网网址� Howard says. B次元官网网址淭hese are preventable deaths at the end of the day.B次元官网网址�
The International Overdose Awareness Day event runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Aug. 29 at Centennial Square.
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