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By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

remembered

Overdose deaths continue upward trend, Turning Point hosting awareness event

Aug 9, 2022 | 1:13 PM

The latest drug overdose numbers for May 2022 are said to accentuate the need for an upcoming evening of remembrance and awareness happening in Red Deer on August 31.

The event, hosted by Turning Point Society, runs 5-9 p.m. at Rotary Picnic Park, with speakers personally impacted by the opioid crisis. There will be a free BBQ for attendees.

Officials say Connection will be the focus of the event, which takes place on International Overdose Awareness Day.

“Stigma often causes loved ones to feel isolated when grieving someone lost to an overdose,” says Mitchell Danser, Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator. “As this crisis continues, Albertans desperately need this opportunity to gather in memory of those they’ve lost and know they’re not alone.”

Community members will also have the chance to engage one-on-one with over a dozen local service providers and organizations – each offering unique resources and on-site services, including overdose response training and Hepatitis C testing.

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Vantage Community Services, the Red Deer Public Library, and Safe Harbour Society are among those participating.

“We hope the event will help provide everyone in attendance with a broader awareness of the services available to them in our community,” Danser adds. “Whether you’re someone impacted directly or indirectly by substance use or you simply want to expand your knowledge and understanding, there are services just for you.”

According to the latest data in the Alberta Substance Use Surveillance System, there were 116 opioid overdose deaths in May across the province, the first month-to-month increase since Jan.-Feb. February was the worst month of the year so far with 168 deaths.

In Red Deer, there were three opioid-related deaths in May, to bring the year’s running total to 26 through the first five months. There were 17 in the same span of 2021, with June being the spike month.

In the first six months of 2022 (January-June) Turning Point Society:

· distributed 2,536 life-saving naloxone kits to Central Alberta community members.

· provided overdose response training to more than 440 community members.

· had 18,806 site visits to Red Deer’s Overdose Prevention Site.

· served an average of 250 community members at its Overdose Prevention Site

· staff at the Overdose Prevention Site responded to and reversed 916 suspected overdoses.

“I extend my condolences to all the loved ones of people who have passed away from preventable drug poisonings. These tragic deaths must be a call to action for the government to do better,” says Lori Sigurdson, NDP critic for Mental Health and Addictions, who issued a statement Monday.

“Sadly, the number of deaths this year remains much higher than pre-pandemic levels and the UCP must take immediate action to save lives. The UCP’s response must include making harm reduction services more accessible.”

In 2019 — the year before the pandemic — Red Deer had five opioid-related deaths through May. Alberta had 278, compared to 683 this year.

“Limiting access to harm reduction services has made many Albertans more reliant on ambulances and emergency rooms which are already strained,” adds Sigurdson. “The UCP’s current approach and opposition to harm reduction is not sustainable.”

Albertans are encouraged to participate in the local awareness event or one of the many others taking place throughout the country.