International Overdose Awareness Day - Bendigo event to focus on stigma and community education
Ending the stigma around drug-related deaths and more community education will be the focus of a free International Overdose Awareness Day event in Bendigo on August 30.
Bendigo Community Health Services and The Salvation Army will host the event in the Bendigo Library Gardens from 11am to 2pm with support from the Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO), Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative, Thorne Harbour Health and Ambulance Victoria.
The event will provide the community with a chance to talk to qualified alcohol and other drugs staff about the risk of overdose, how to respond, life-saving medication Naloxone, drug and alcohol services in Bendigo and remember loved ones or friends in a safe environment.
The Salvation Army will provide a free barbecue.
Coroner’s Court of Victoria figures show Bendigo had 18 heroin-related overdose deaths from 2014 to 2018 with only Geelong recording more at a regional level.
BCHS Alcohol and Other Drugs Team Manager Jan Dunlop said community education was an important element of International Overdose Awareness Day.
“It’s a common belief that illegal drugs such as heroin cause most overdoses but the rates involving prescribed medications are higher. Illegal drugs, prescription drugs and alcohol can all cause overdose and the risk increases when different drugs are taken together,” Ms Dunlop said.
“Many deaths and permanent injuries caused by overdose are accidental and preventable.
“Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of any opioid drug with no side effects and Bendigo Community Health Services can provide a free script for this life-saving medication.
“These are the type of important messages we need to get out into the community through events such as International Overdose Awareness Day.”
