Local communities in Renfrewshire, and around the world, are coming together to remember those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to drug overdose. Observed on 31 August every year, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) seeks to create better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use.
Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) is committed to continuing to work collaboratively to prevent and reduce alcohol and drugs harms within communities.
In Renfrewshire, we will be joining many other locations around the world by lighting up some of our landmark buildings to mark this important day. These will include Paisley Town Hall, Johnstone Bandstand and Bascule Bridge in Renfrew.
Staff from Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) and CIRCLE (Continuing in Recovery Changes Lives Entirely), will also be helping to raise awareness on the day by hosting overdose information stalls at two of Renfrewshire's busiest locations, Braehead and the Piazza.
Christine Laverty, Chief Officer of Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: "No family should ever have to go through the pain of losing a loved one because of overdose. Overdose can affect anybody, and one of the messages of this day is that the people who overdose are our sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters - they are loved and they are missed."
Additional Information can be found at: https://www.overdoseday.com/.
Overdose Awareness Day is the latest in a series of activities, planned across Renfrewshire over the coming months. The activities are aimed at connecting communities, celebrating recovery, highlighting recovery support and tackling discrimination and stigma related to drug, alcohol and mental health related issues.
In collaboration with the Scottish Recovery Consortium, Paisley will host the 2022 National Recovery Walk on 24 September. The Recovery Walk is an event to honour those we have lost, to remember why recovery is so important, and to build connections and develop support networks.
Recovery Walk Scotland is the largest recovery event in Scotland and has been held in different locations across the country since 2013. It is supported by many organisations and community groups. Last year over 2,000 people took part in Recovery Walk Scotland in Perth. Details of this year's event in Paisley can be found at: Recovery Walk Scotland 2022 - Scottish Recovery Consortium.
ENDS
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