As British Columbia continues to deal with the ongoing overdose crisis, people are gathering in a Kelowna church on Thursday to mark International Overdose Awareness Day.
The event is being put on by a group called Moms Stop the Harm, a support and advocacy group made up of people who have lost loved ones to “substance misuse.”
They are gathering people together “in honor of those lost and in order to raise awareness about death by overdose and the impact it is having on our communities.”
“The hope is to illustrate that this crisis does not discriminate. It has taken countless lives regardless of age, race, gender or socioeconomic status,” said Moms Stop the Harm in a media release.
Marking International Overdose Awareness Day on Thursday is perhaps especially poignant in British Columbia this year as the province appears poised to set a troubling record for illicit drug overdose deaths.
The coroners service said that 780 people have already died this year from illicit drug overdoses deaths.
“That’s almost double the number of deaths for the same period in 2016, which recorded the highest number of illicit drug deaths ever,” said chief coroner Lisa Lapointe.
“Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable. We are in the midst of a major illicit drug overdose crisis here in British Columbia with hundreds of people dying.”
The latest numbers released by the coroners service show that in the first six months of the year 46 people died in Kelowna as a result of illicit drug overdoses, while 13 died in Vernon.
Preventing Drug Overdoses
The coroners service is encouraging people not to use drugs alone and suggesting that anyone who has loved ones who use illicit drugs should look into getting a naloxone kit and being trained to use it.
“About 90 per cent of the illicit drug overdose deaths that we investigate occur inside, with more than half of those deaths occurring in private residences. In many cases, those dying were alone in a bedroom or bathroom and, though others were in the home, they were unaware that their friend or loved one was experiencing overdose,” said Lapointe.
“It is imperative that anyone using illicit drugs use them in the presence of someone who is aware of overdose symptoms and who is willing and able to provide immediate medical assistance and call for emergency help. New federal legislation provides immunity from simple possession charges for those who call 911.”
The province’s new Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Judy Darcy is also aiming to reduce the stigma associated with addictions.
“Fear of judgement and shame can keep people in the cycle of addiction and prevent them from seeking help to improve their lives. It drives people to use drugs alone, which can come at a terrible price. The majority of people who are dying from overdoses are dying alone at home,” said Darcy.
“Addiction is not a moral failing. It is a complex health condition, often resulting from deep psychological pain or acute physical pain. We need to treat people with addiction with the same respect, compassion and empathy as anyone with any other serious, chronic health condition. Nobody chooses to become addicted.”
Kelowna Events
Mom’s Stop the Harm is hosting two events to mark International Overdose Awareness Day on Thursday.
From 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. there will be speakers and information from community service providers at the Evangel Church at 3261 Gordon Drive in Kelowna.
Then Thursday evening there will be a candle light vigil at The Sails in downtown Kelowna from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
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