Tuesday 31 August marked International Drug Overdose Awareness Day. This day introduced by the Salvation Army in Australia sadly celebrates 20 years of existence in 2021. A campaign that is still relevant́ and necessary for a realitý still ignored by the authorities. Last year, the Collectif Urgence Toxida and AILES (Aide. Infos. Liberté́. Espoir. Solidarité́) had sent́ a position paper to the authorities with a series of recommendations for the reduction of risks related to overdoses. One year later, it is clear that their request has not been heard, while the number of deaths by overdose continues to rise. Therefore, in addition to the recommendations, a digital online campaign is proposed on the Facebook page of the Collectif Urgence Toxida to raise awareness and pay tribute to the pain of the families and friends of those who have died by overdose. As a result, the association AILES proposed this Tuesday 31 August, a series of explanatory activities to raise awareness among the general population and the communitý on the issue and management of overdoses. According to WHO (World Health Organization) estimates, worldwide, about half a million deaths are attributable to drug use. More than 70% of the deaths are related to opioids, 30% of the deaths are related to overdoses and this is without taking into account, the overdoses related to synthetic drugs. Therefore, for Shatyam Issur, Manager of the Collectif Urgence Toxida, it is urgent to act and to take into account this number of deaths that could be avoided by an effective action plan.
Among the recommendations, the associations wish in particular:
- The availability of Naloxone, a drug that if dispensed in time will prevent death.
- A treatment that should be available to first aiders, organisations working in harm reduction, people coming out of prison and members of the communitý.
- Real statistics on overdose deaths, which are currently not recorded as such. This would give a true picture of the extent of this scourge and thus implement solutions to remedy it.
- Changes in the law so that people who witness an overdose are no longer afraid to take care of the patient in distress for fear of repression.
- The establishment of a national survey to find out the extent of overdose cases and to propose a national overdose management plan.
