Pubdate: Fri, 01 Sep 2017
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Michael D. Reid
Page: A3

VOICES RISE ON OVERDOSE 'EPIDEMIC'

When Jennifer Howard lost her son Robert Cunningham to a fentanyl
overdose in May 2016 at age 24, she was devastated.

After learning he had hid his heroin use, and had been using for only
seven months before his death, she began to realize how widespread
drug overdoses are in B.C.

Howard, who helped organize Thursday's International Overdose
Awareness Day event at Centennial Square, was among hundreds of people
from all walks of life who had a good reason for being there.

"I lost the ability to help Robby, so for me, going forward, being an
advocate and a voice for others, and making sure change happens is
important," said Howard, a member of the group Moms Stop the Harm.

"It's time to honour and remember every individual who has been lost
this way," she said. "It's time to speak up about this."

Drug users, social-justice advocates, outreach workers, first
responders and others had much to say about topics such as
misconceptions about addiction and the impact of misplaced judgment.

Before an evening rally and vigil got underway, participants lined up
for crash courses on how to administer naloxone, a medication that can
reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

"What interests me is how eager people are to learn about it," said
Ross Nicholls, a St. John Ambulance volunteer and Our Place Society's
overdose-prevention site staffer.

"As long as people keep their cool, the process is fairly simple," he
said.

"This aligned with what we're taking in school, and it's important to
know because there's obviously a crisis," said Camosun College nursing
student Layton Driedger, 25.

An outreach worker with SOLID (Society of Living Illicit Drug Users)
said it's thanks to people reacting quickly with naloxone kits to
revive users, and fast response by paramedics, that more lives are
being saved.

"This is an epidemic, and it's vital people become aware of what's
going on in the streets of Victoria," she said.

"People are dropping daily from fentanyl. It's in every drug, even in
marijuana."

Judy Darcy, B.C.'s minister of mental health and addictions, said she
heard heartbreaking stories at the event from parents of youths at
risk, and complaints about the lack of access to youth treatment in
Victoria.

"What is really hopeful is that so many people have come together to
learn how to administer naloxone and save lives," Darcy said. "It
really will take a community to overcome this overdose crisis."
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MAP posted-by: Matt