International Overdose Awareness Day: 6 Overdose Prevention Resources
August 31 is the International Overdose Awareness Day. On this day, people worldwide are encouraged to act in any way possible to end overdoses. This is a day to raise awareness of overdosing, and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends. May it be to create a campaign, say a tribute to lost loved ones, or share one’s challenges and recovery story.
According to recent statistics from the Provincial Government, 449 people died from opioid poisoning in the first six months of 2020, and there were a total of 1,144 opioid toxicity deaths in Alberta in 2020. This is alarming.
Here are six overdose prevention resources:
- How to Spot an Overdose – learn the signs and symptoms of an overdose and things to watch out for when you are using or with someone who is using
- Ask a Paramedic – Opioid Overdoses – A video about what you should do when you see someone overdosing.
- Naloxone: Save a Life – Naloxone is a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. This poster explains how naloxone works.
- Get Naloxone – Here is a list of places where you can get free naloxone kits in Alberta.
- Supervised Consumption Sites in Alberta – These supervised consumption sites are places where people can use drugs in a safer manner.
- If you or a loved one has addictions, our mental health therapists may be able to help
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