International Overdose Awareness Day shows reality of Saskatchewan drug use | 24CA News
Aug. 31 marks the popularity of International Overdose Awareness Day, and occasions throughout Regina befell to boost consciousness about overdoses, whereas one confirmed the alarming actuality of drug use within the province.
“We’re in the middle of a crisis situation where there’s an awful lot of people looking for help,” Rand Teed, an addictions counsellor and educator, stated.
At Regina’s All Nations Hope Network, an opioid habit therapy clinic was held with a neighborhood gathering and free barbeque.
And whereas residents have been being given overdose prevention methods, in an alley simply metres away, Regina Fire and paramedics responded to a person who simply overdosed.
As occasions surrounding worldwide overdose consciousness day befell, a person was discovered experiencing an overdose in a close-by alley.
Dave Parsons / Global News
Paramedics have been in a position to revive the person on the scene.
In 2022, the province had 337 confirmed overdose deaths in accordance with the coroner’s workplace.
As of Aug. 1, 2023, there have been 92 drug toxicity deaths confirmed to have been reported this 12 months. It’s a quantity that’s anticipated to rise as 200 extra suspected overdose deaths are presently being investigated.
Teed stated there’s merely not sufficient capability within the province for secure habit websites and therapy centres.
“Treatment centres are at capacity, pretty much all the time,” Teed stated. “Moose Jaw Detox, for example, they have 28 men on their waitlist and 20 women. So systemically we don’t have enough capacity.”
The lack of spots isn’t the one challenge Teed sees with the system. He argues the present system hardly ever treats the basis causes of what forces folks to show to medicine resembling untreated trauma or a scarcity of housing.
“There needs to be some trauma therapy, but you also need to have some life skill management,” he stated about therapy developments.
“You need to sometimes have financial education so that they can, you know … be a little bit more organized in their life so that they don’t they aren’t experiencing as many stresses.”
Rob Kraushaar, a registered social employee and a member who helped with a neighborhood gathering in Regina, stated folks have to be affected person with folks coping with substance abuse.
“People are sick right now and we need more compassion out there and just to work together to help figure out what’s best for them and to deal with it in a humane manner,” he stated.
In Saskatoon, a public day of remembrance, advocacy and neighborhood relationship was hosted by Knox Talks and Metis Nation Saskatchewan.
Barb Fornssler, a researcher physician on the University of Saskatchewan School of Public Health, stated extra occasions like as we speak have to occur so folks don’t overlook concerning the very actual menace.
“End that stigma — that’s really what international drug overdose day is all about,” she stated. “It’s about getting that conversation on the table and consciously thinking about ‘what is my relationship with substances, what is the relationship I would like to have with substances, and what is the resources and supports in my community should I wish to change my relationship with substances.’”
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