International Overdose Awareness Day 2023

Local communities in the Scottish Borders and around the world are coming together on 31 August to mark International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) and remember those they have lost to drug overdose.

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. The theme this year is recognising people who go unseen.

To show support and raise awareness of IOAD, the Scottish Borders Council HQ in St Boswells, as well as the TD1 Youth Hub and We Are With You buildings in Galashiels, will be lit up purple to honour those who have lost their lives to overdose.

The We Are With You service will also be offering an opportunity for people to come together on the day to remember those they have lost and give people an opportunity to access naloxone. Their drop-in event will be held between 10am and 12pm on 31 August at We Are With You,  125 High Street, Galashiels. People are encouraged to wear purple if attending the event.

In addition, a drop-in event for overdose information, Naloxone kits and training facilitated by Recovery Coaching Scotland will take place on 31 August outside Douglas Place, Galashiels, from 12-2 pm. Alternatively, online training is available here.

The Alcohol & Drugs Partnership and Recovery Communities are committed to taking action to reduce drug deaths in the region - both by educating people and by implementing measures to reduce the mortality rate of overdose.

As part of our ongoing efforts, we have supplied more than 2172 take home Naloxone kits since Scotland’s National Naloxone Programme began in 2011. Naloxone is a medication which can be given in the event of an overdose to temporarily reverse the effects of the overdose and allow time for emergency services to arrive. These kits are available to opiate drug and opiate substitute users and their family members aged sixteen and over.

Dr Sohail Bhatti, Director of Public Health at NHS Borders and Chair of the Borders Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, said: “By coming together to remember those who have lost their lives, we stand together to say that more needs to be done to end overdose in our community.

“Our 2023 theme of ‘recognising those people who go unseen’ honours the people whose lives have been changed by overdose. This could be family and friends grieving the loss of a loved one, workers in healthcare and support services extending strength and compassion, or even the spontaneous first responders in our local community who selflessly assume the role of lifesaver.

“We encourage members of the public with lived experience to come to the events being held on International Overdose Awareness Day to stand in solidarity with other people who have been personally affected by overdose.”

If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s drug use, support information is available here.

For information how to access naloxone click here.