August 31 is Overdose Awareness Day — wear a silver ribbon

Wear a Silver Ribbon for Overdose Awareness Day

August 31st is Overdose Awareness Day. Over 320 people died from illicit drug overdoses in BC in 2013. In the past few years, VCH has seen an increase in illicit drug 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 Overdose Awareness Day. Wearing a silver ribbon commemorates those who have died or been permanently injured as a result of an overdose. Wearing a silver ribbon also shows that you support the overdose education, prevention, and intervention services that save lives.

From August 25th to 31st, most VCH Community Health Centres will have silver ribbons available through their harm reduction (aka needle exchange) service.

To prevent overdoses, you can use and promote safe drug use practices. Familiarize yourself with proper overdose response, including how to assess signs of an overdose and how to administer first aid. More information about naloxone (Narcan), a fast-acting opioid antagonist that can reverse some overdoses can be found through the BC Take Naloxone Home Program.

Naloxone reverses opioid overdoses.

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 to harmreduction@vch.ca. For the most up to date information search www.vch.ca for your local VCH Harm Reduction (needle exchange) provider.

Please join us in prevention and remembrance; wear a silver ribbon on August 31, 2014.