Calgarians mark overdose awareness day with remembrance, education
Posted Sep 1, 2022 11:28 am.
Last Updated Sep 1, 2022 11:29 am.
Eight-hundred-seventeen.
That’s how many Albertans have died from substance poisonings in 2022 according to the Province’s substance use surveillance data.
Those 817 people are on the minds of Calgarians that took part in a Wednesday event to raise awareness about harm reduction, and to remember those who died of an overdose or poisoning.
Curtis, member of Calgary harm reduction and outreach group Street Cats YYC, says substance users are not always afforded the benefit of the doubt in society.
“Good people do drugs. Everyone deserves care, love, and support,” Curtis said.
“If we can support people that use other substances in the same way that people that use substances like alcohol, already have that support, it would be better for the whole community.”
Curtis adds harm reduction tools like naloxone kits are incredibly important, but harm reduction involved more than just reversing an overdose.
Leah Madraga, hairstylist at MC College, says things like getting a new haircut can go a long way.
“We’re just doing haircuts and manicures for people who may not be able to afford them,” Madraga said.
Jennifer, who was getting her hair cut, says she appreciates help from the community in her recovery.
“I’ve been on a long journey through addictions, and my hair was like in pretty bad shape, really bad shape, to where I had to wear a hat all the time,” Jennifer said. “So, I saw these guys down here, and they said well, with welcoming arms, ‘come in, we can help you.'”
Jennifer adds that haircuts are often unaffordable for low-income Calgarians, and restoring morale and determination is also part of recovery.
“For the programs that I’m going to be going to, I can walk with a little bit more, I guess you could say, confidence,” Jennifer said.
The province is on pace to have fewer substance poisoning deaths this year compared to 2021. The RCMP highlights the importance of tools like naloxone, which are becoming more common in Alberta.
Officers saw a 54 per cent increase in naloxone distribution in 2021, and an 83 per cent increase in self-reported overdose reversals, compared to 2020.
