Upper Room Mission
(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)
August 26, 2019 - 3:00 PM
VERNON - It’s an international crisis that’s palpable on Okanagan streets.
Vernon’s Upper Room Mission has partnered with Interior Health to further the dialogue surrounding the overdose crisis on Overdose Awareness Day this Wednesday, Aug. 28.
Cera Brown, the Mission’s general manager, said it is important to recognize the crisis’ impact on a local level.
“We know that this is a global crisis. We do have people in Vernon who are dying,” said Brown. “These aren’t people that don’t have any connection. Members of our community are dying because of this crisis. If we take appropriate action, hopefully, we can prevent more people from dying.”
According to B.C. Coroners Service statistics, overdose deaths in the province are beginning a downward trend. June saw 73 suspected drug toxicity deaths, which is down 35 per cent over June 2018 and a 15 per cent decrease over May 2019. Statistics suggest that 87 per cent of illicit drug overdose deaths occurred inside. Fentanyl and analogues continued to be a primary factor and contributed to 81 per cent of deaths. Cocaine is the second-highest contributor at 50 per cent.
What the statistics show, Brown suggests, is that Naloxone training and the work that is being done to combat the crisis is helping. However, there is still more that can be done.
“The idea that nothing is being done is, unfortunately, something people believe. When it comes to what is being done… that work isn’t always being relayed to the public."
In addition to a free barbecue and donated door prizes, Brown said the event is the culmination of efforts from multiple different community and social service groups.
“There are a lot of social service agencies that work together to combat a lot of things in this community,” Brown said. “We just need to get the information out to people.”
Set for Wednesday, Aug. 28 at Vernon’s Upper Room Mission from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event is about furthering that discussion.
“The event aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose," Brown said. “At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about: saving lives."
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