International Overdose Awareness Day 2021
WATCH HERE
NEW DATE – Live event postponed
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will now be hosting our IOAD event on Monday the 6th of September at 7:30pm.
We’re inviting you to join our live stream on International Overdose Awareness Day, hearing from those who understand the issue through professional engagement, and those who understand it through direct personal experiences.
Decades of expensive prohibition and policing haven’t reduced the harms associated with drug use. Policies focused on reducing harms and understanding people’s complex needs have produced far more positive results. A compassionate approach means understanding complex problems and appropriately resourcing responses that actually work.
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on 31 August each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. Originating in Melbourne 2001, the day acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends by remembering those we have lost, or those who have sustained a permanent injury as the result of drug overdose. Our minds immediately go to illegal drugs when discussing overdose, however alcohol and prescription medication are two of our biggest killers.
In honour of loved ones lost and dearly missed, our aim is to raise awareness and reduce stigma within our communities around this significant health issue.
GUEST SPEAKERS
- Uncle Colin Hunter
Wurundjeri elder – Welcome to Country - Stevie Thorpe
Gunnai, Gunditjmara man - John Ryan
CEO – Penington Institute - David Limbrick MLC
LDP State Member for the South Eastern Metropolitan Region - Fiona Patten MLC
Reason Party Leader, Member for North Eastern Metropolitan Region - Sam Biondo
Executive Officer – Victorian Alcohol And Drug Association (VAADA) - Deb Warner & Cherie Short
APOD Family Support - Chloe Span
Victorian Project Officer – Family Drug Support - Dr. Nico Clark
Medical Director, Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) - Judy Ryan
Community volunteer & Campaigner - Steph Tzanetis
Dancewize Program Co-ordinator – Harm Reduction Victoria - Elissa Buggy
Executive Officer – Flat Out Inc. - Danny Jeffcote
Program Manager – AOD West at CoHealth - Horace Wansbrough
Contributor - Adam Wilson
Senior Drug Outreach Lawyer – Fitzroy Legal Service - Mukhtar Mohammed
Co-ordinator – Muslim Connect program at the Islamic Council of Victoria