Griffin Russell, a harm reduction coordinator with Island Health, spoke at the 2021 International Overdose Awareness Day event. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

continuing crisis

‘Connection is correction:’ reducing stigma and remembering those lost during Overdose Awareness Day

Aug 31, 2022 | 5:26 AM

NANAIMO — It’s a day of mourning, remembrance, and recognition that we are now in the seventh year of a public health emergency.

Wednesday, Aug. 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, with a community event being held at Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Member of the Nanaimo Community Action Team (CAT) and registered nurse Sarah Lovegrove, said a big aspect of this event is reducing stigma, as a large part of deaths related to toxic drugs are middle-class males aged 30 to 59 who use and die alone in their own homes.

“In my opinion, these individuals are actually dying of stigma because they’re experiencing the need to use substances and doing it alone. These events are really important to show community members there are options for safe use, and to increase awareness of what is actually happening with the illicit drug supply right now.”

She said it’s a common story where people are written an opioid prescription for pain management by a doctor, which can lead to addiction and eventually turning to the illicit drug market to meet their needs.

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“The supply of substances out there is quite poisonous and toxic, and individuals who don’t know that or aren’t aware of how to use safely are the ones who are dying at the highest rate right now.”

Events like Wednesday are important to help those people feel support in their community so they can turn to harm reduction resources, Lovegrove told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Officials from all levels of government will be in attendance to recognize the day, along with an opening prayer spoken by Patrick Aleck, on behalf of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Lovegrove said one of Aleck’s favourite quotes, “connection is correction” goes a long way on this topic.

“We’re trying to focus on the idea of connecting and building relationships to build solutions to this crisis. It’s not about shame, it’s not about stigma, and it’s not about pointing the finger of blame, it’s about creating a connective community to be able to move forward and find solutions.”

A pop-up resources village, naloxone training, and harm reduction advocates will also be available.

Nanaimo CAT is a community network team with a singular goal to stop the death, harm, and grief caused as a result of the ongoing drug toxicity crisis.

More than 10,000 lives have been lost since the B.C. government first declared a public health emergency in 2016, when the powerful opioid fentanyl began showing up in toxic drug deaths.

In Nanaimo, 273 people have been lost over the same time including 33 who died from January to June of this year. The city remains on track to break the 2017 record high of 56 deaths in 2022.

Throughout central Vancouver Island, 78 people have died, encompassing communities Island-wide from the Malahat to Bowser. This is also on track to beat the previous high total of 123 deaths in 2021.

More information on CAT and the event at Maffeo Sutton Park on Wednesday can be found here.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow