Remember without stigma those friends and family that have died as a result of overdose.
It’s International Overdose Awareness Day on 31 August and local drug and alcohol support services are coming together to mark the day.
At an event hosted in Hastings they will support the worlds largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.
If you’ve been affected by addiction, or want to know what you can do to stop overdose related deaths, do come along. At the event you can meet and have a chat with the people working in local drug and alcohol services to help those battling addiction.
Event details
When: Tuesday 31 August, 11.30am to 2.30pm
Where: East Sussex Veterans Hub Building, 5 Harold Place, Hastings
Contact: Victoria.Walters@eastsussex.gov.uk if you have any queries.
Reducing the number of deaths by overdose
The biggest risk with many drug and alcohol addictions is the risk of accidental death from overdose.
Overdoses kill thousands every year in the UK. But those deaths could be prevented – with naloxone, a drug that can help reverse an overdose and save lives.
Through Project ADDER, service professionals in Hastings are offering first aid training on how to administer naloxone to those who have overdosed. They want to get as many people trained as possible and to spread the word within the town that this service is available. Naloxone and Nyxoid (a nasal spray version of Naloxone) can be supplied to people within the community. Outreach workers, hotel and store managers, a carer, a friend or family member of a user and any individual working in an environment where there is a risk of overdose.
If you can’t make the event but want to know more, visit Change Grow Live at Thrift House on Wellington Place, Hastings or Seaview on Hatherley Road, St Leonards-on-sea. Or call 0300 303 8160.
Watch these two videos below to find out more about what naloxone is, its importance and how to use Nyxoid.
How much do you know about Naloxon?
Nyxoid nasal spray training video
Dealing with addiction
Whether it is a personal struggle or someone close to you that you can see struggling, battling an addiction is hard. You might feel like there’s no way out, that there is nowhere to turn for support and nothing you can do to help if you’re trying to support someone else. You may be frightened by the stigma of a drug problem for you or someone you love, but there are services who will help you without judgement.
There are a number of ways you can access support from local services, many of which are supported by people who have experienced addiction themselves.
Get help with addiction to crack cocaine or opiates
Find out about other drug and alcohol services in East Sussex
More about Project ADDER
Project ADDER (Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery) has been launched by the Home Office to tackle drug use, dependency and drug related crime. The area of focus for East Sussex is Hastings, which has one of the highest drug-related death rates in England.
Through Project Adder we are working with a number of agencies and charities to provide education and support to people affected by drug use and find a route out of dependency that is right for them.
For more details visit: Help with addiction to crack cocaine or opiates
