Resources: International Overdose Awareness Day – August 31
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose. Held on August 31 each year, IOAD 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. Time to Remember. Time to Act.
The following are some resources that may be useful in supporting those in the aftermath of an illicit drug toxicity death. (PVSBC is providing the following links for convenience. We do not control the content provided through the linked websites.)
Support:
- Moms Stop the Harm (MSTH) is a network of Canadian families impacted by substance use related harms and deaths, providing peer support to grieving families and those with loved ones who use or have used substances and advocating for changes to drug policies. https://www.momsstoptheharm.com/
- BC Bereavement Helpline: Providing free and confidential support connecting the bereaved to support services across BC. 1-877-779-2223 https://www.bcbh.ca/index.php
Resources:
- HeretoHelp: BC Partners for Mental Health and Substance Use Information: https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/
- Gone too Soon: Grief and Loss as a Result of Substance Use – BC Version: https://www.bccsu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Grief_Handbook.pdf
- Coping Kit: Dealing with Addiction in Your Family – From Greif to Action: https://www.bccsu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Coping-Kit.pdf
- Hope and Healing: A Practical Guide for Survivors of Suicide: https://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2007/HopeandHealing.pdf
- Canadian Virtual Hospice: website provides information and resources related to loss and grief. https://www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home.aspx
- The Dougy Center: Grief support resources for children and youth and their caregivers (US site). https://www.dougy.org/grief-support-resources