Every day, at Union Gospel Mission, we witness the profound impact of overdose — a crisis that touches countless lives and leaves deep scars on families and communities. On August 31st, we honor those we’ve lost, support those still struggling, and commit to creating a world where overdose is no longer a devastating reality.
Why It Matters:
International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st is more than a date on the calendar; it’s a day to reflect on the lives lost, to remember the individuals behind the statistics, and to stand together in support and care. The numbers are heart-wrenching, but each one represents a person—someone’s child, friend, or loved one.
In Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES), International Overdose Awareness Day is particularly important because so many people in our community have died or lost loved ones, but we know that impact is felt beyond our neighbourhood—across B.C. thousands of families have been affected.
What is Addiction?
Alcohol poisoning. Opioid crisis. Overdose. We are familiar with these hard topics making headlines. What’s less talked about are the individual people affected by addiction or living with substance use disorder day to day. Many of us have faced addiction ourselves, or have loved someone navigating addiction. In some communities, addiction is hidden; in others, it is highly visible. When it’s not addressed, addiction can override our choices and disrupt our families.
Our team has put together "What is Addiction? An Overview of Addiction in British Columbia", a useful guide that helps explain what addiction is and how we can understand addiction and its very real impact on our communities and friends. We hopes that it helps unpack the experience of — and science behind — addiction, as we all work to better support and care for each other.
Hope for Recovery
We recognize that the path to recovery is often fraught with challenges, but it is also a journey marked by incredible resilience and hope. For those navigating the complexities of addiction and recovery, every small victory is a powerful testament to their strength.
Vancouver run club helps recovering addicts stay sober, rebuild lives
Watch the video below about UGM's Men's Recovery Team Run Club empowering program members to stay sober and reclaim their fitness. The team at CBC breaks down how its turning members’ lives around in ways they never thought possible.
Inside a women's recovery centre in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside
The team at CBC visited UGM's Women and Families Centre, and had the opportunity to tour The Sanctuary, a space that focuses on walking alongside women from stabilization and the very beginnings of their recovery journey, through to recovery and aftercare. Watch the video below as Nicole shares more about how we celebrate the strength and courage these women bring, while reinforcing that hope and perseverance can lead to transformation and renewal.
You Can Help. Here’s How:
Anyone struggling with addiction deserves an opportunity to recover and move on in their lives. Here’s what you can do:
- Learn more about the Opioid Overdose Epidemic and addiction. When we learn more about other people's experiences it helps humanize and destigmatize what they may be going through. Learn more here.
- Know someone who is experiencing addiction? Start a conversation with them to provide your support and it may help them prevent an overdose. Here are some tips to get the ball rolling.
- Know the signs of an overdose - and how to respond.
Save-Me-Protocol- S - Stimulate: Shout, poke. Unresponsive? Call 911
- A - Airway: Open their airway. Tilt their neck back gently.
- V - Ventilate: Give 1 breath every 5 seconds.
- E - Evaluate: Are they breathing?
- M - Muscular injection: Inject 1mL of naloxone into a muscle. Keep giving breaths.
- E - Evaluate and support: If they don’t respond after the first 3-5 minutes give another naloxone injection. Continue giving breaths
- Carry a Naloxone kit with you at all times. However, administering Naloxone can be an emotional experience so it is important that you get proper training for it.
Find organizations like UGM that walk alongside people living with addiction and consider donating, volunteering or working for them to provide more support.
Learn more about the issues impacting your community, like the opioid crisis and homelessness, and what you can do to help. Sign up for our email updates.
