August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day
A purple ribbon is the symbol for International Overdose Awareness Day. This is a global event designed to increase awareness, end overdose, and without stigma, remember those who have succumbed to substance abuse. It further acknowledges the grief and loss of the family and friends of those who have tragically died. The tragedy of drug overdose is a public health crisis and epidemic. On April 14, 2016, Dr. Perry Kendall, Provincial Medical Health Officer of British Columbia, declared a public health emergency under the Public Health Act in response to increasing overdoses and overdose deaths in our province.
Despite the above-noted declaration, there has been an overwhelming 119% increase in toxic drug deaths in 2020 from 2019. This number is steadily rising in 2022, as in May alone, another 195 drug deaths occurred in our province. The deadly cause of this spike are opioids, including fentanyl. Notably, significant and improved efforts must be made to prevent; people who overdose from dying, to keep users safe while using, to create accessible treatment options and to provide ongoing support for those on their healing journey.
It is important to note that in 2020 it was reported that First Nations people in BC are disproportionately represented in toxic drug deaths. They represented 14.7% of toxic drug deaths despite being only 3.3% of the population. Further, First Nations women die at 9.9 times the rate of other females in BC, and First Nations men die at 4.3 times the rate of other male residents in BC. Here in the north, First Nations represented 36.1% of toxic drug deaths despite being only 14.8% of the region's population, and of all toxic drug events in the north, First Nations people represented 45.2% of those incidents.
In response to this urgent need, In August 2020, the member Nations of the Northern First Nations Alliance (NFNA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Terrace, British Columbia, to facilitate the development of a Health & Wellness / Detox Centre in the area. The MOU mandates the Health & Wellness Sub-Committee to seek opportunities and resources in support of this project. The proposed facility will provide evidence-based medicine while delivering culturally appropriate, land-based healing and treatment services.
The NFNA welcomes the feedback, input, and expertise of our neighbours and external stakeholders to assist in seeing this project through to completion. By working together, we will move beyond hope to overcome this crisis and create a pathway toward sobriety for those in need while providing viable supports for their families. For more information on this initiative, please feel free to contact Manon Joice by email at skeenacoach@gmail.com, and we invite you to complete our Allied Stakeholder Survey found here: https://forms.gle/vwVjXivGHhQzmBWn6
May you and your loved ones be safe from the tragedies related to substance abuse on this day and every day.
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