Wear a silver ribbon for Overdose Awareness Day
August 31st is Overdose Awareness Day. Nearly 250 people died from illicit drug overdoses in BC in 2012. In the past few years, VCH has seen an increase in overdose deaths. Most of these overdoses were accidental, and the tragic loss of many lives may have been prevented.
A silver ribbon is the symbol of this day. You can wear this ribbon to show you have lost a loved one, or that you support those who have lost a loved one. Wear a silver ribbon to show you support the overdose education, prevention and intervention services that save lives.
Overdose Awareness Day is not only to commemorate those who have died or been faced with a permanent injury as a result of an overdose, but a day to acknowledge what we can do to prevent overdoses.
To prevent overdoses, use and promote safe drug use practices. For more information on safe practices read and distribute:
Familiarize yourself with proper overdose response by assessing signs and administering first aid. More information about naloxone, a fast-acting opioid antagonist that can reverse some overdoses can be found through the BC Take Naloxone Home Program.
Help us prevent overdoses. Stay up to date on drug alerts and warnings and report any concerns about drug purity and potency in your community. For the most up to date information search www.vch.ca for your local VCH Harm Reduction (aka Needle Exchange) provider.
Please join us in prevention and remembrance; wear a silver ribbon on August 31, 2013.