Wellington to mark International Overdose Awareness Day

Press Release

Wellington to mark International Overdose Awareness Day

Wednesday 31 August

Friends and family of people who have died of overdoses will gather at the Wellington needle exchange on Wednesday 31 August to remember those who have died and to build awareness of overdoses, as part of International Overdose Awareness Day

“Wellington will join in the international day with a memorial tree. People are encouraged to add names of loved ones who overdosed, so they can be remembered, and we will be observing a minute’s silence at midday. We will serve soup and bread and allow people time to reflect and share throughout the day,” said Carl Greenwood, General Manager of the Drugs, Health and Development Project (DHDP).

The DHDP runs the Wellington needle exchange at 233A Willis St.

“There are many in the community we serve who have passed away from an overdose, and stigma and discrimination give few opportunities to gather and share the experience of those losses,” said Mr Greenwood. “This is an important time for many of our people.”

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on August 31 each year. It aims to raise awareness of overdoses and reduce the stigma of drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.

Mr Greenwood said, “Nearly every week in New Zealand a person dies from a drug overdose. It’s hard enough already for families to lose a loved one, a partner, a parent, a child, a sibling, a best friend. It’s harder still when society tells families that their loved ones’ lives were worthless because they died from drugs.”

The New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme has been operating since the late 1980’s. Funded by the Ministry of Health, the programme is one of New Zealand’s most successful public health programmes providing a range of harm reduction services.

“We are passionate about fighting the stigma and discrimination that surrounds people who inject drugs, and is often felt by their friend and whanau. On a day like this it’s great we are able to provide a safe space free of judgement and negativity to allow people a place to gather, share, reflect and remember the passing of loved ones.”

WHAT

International Overdose Awareness Day

Memorial tree

Bread and soup

WHEN

Wednesday 31 August 2016

Minute’s silence at 12 noon

WHERE

DHDP Needle Exchange

223A Willis Street, Wellington

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