For the first time since it was declared a public health emergency, Prince George is officially recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day.
Mayor Lyn Hall made the official proclamation today (Aug. 24) at the feet of Mr. PG, who’s also now waving an International Overdose Awareness Day flag.
In fact, Hall actually proclaimed this entire week, Aug. 24 to Aug. 30, as Overdose Awareness Week in the city which culminates on Aug. 31, the official International Overdose Awareness Day.
“Overdose is now the leading cause of unnatural death in B.C. and our data shows the crisis impacts a wide range of people from all walks of life in our city and communities across the province,” said Hall.
He says this week provides an opportunity to raise awareness that overdose death is preventable.
“It’s an opportunity to remember those who’ve died by overdose and to reduce stigma and to remember the hundreds of people in our province, who have died by overdose this year alone, were daughters, sons, spouses and coworkers. People who are loved and mourned.”
As of the end of June 2020, there have been 134 recorded overdose deaths in the city since 2016. This number increases monthly.
B.C. reported its second record-breaking month for death totals due to illicit substances in June, with 175 lives lost which surpassed May’s 171 deaths.
So far there have been 16 drug illicit overdose deaths in Prince George in 2020 alone.
“This is an absolute crisis,” said Hall.
“We see it every day and not just on our streets. I want to make this clear: it has no boundaries and no barriers. It’s young people, it’s older folks, and people you see perhaps every day when you’re in the community.”
Hall then read the following proclamation:
Whereas death by drug overdose may impact anyone in our community from any walk of life, we acknowledge the grief of those who have lost a loved one to drug overdose or permanent injury to drug overdose. The tragedy of death by drug overdose is preventable and we encourage our community to learn the signs of drug overdose and how to help. Each year international drug overdose day creates an opportunity for our community to talk about the impacts of drug overdose death, reduce stigma through inclusion and education and remember the lives lost to those overdoses.
Throughout Overdose Awareness Week, events will be held to end the stigmatization of people who use drugs as well as help stop deaths and harm resulting from contaminated illicit drug supplies.
Businesses and homeowners are encouraged to tie a purple ribbon on their property around Prince George during the month of August to support the Tie a Purple Ribbon Campaign.
Next Monday (Aug. 31), there will be an afternoon of acknowledgement and remembrance hosted by Positive Living North from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
That evening, from 5 to 9 p.m., there will be drop-in naloxone training and a candlelight vigil hosted by a group of bereaved parents at Mr. PG.
