Contributed by The Mat-Su Opioid Task Force and Michael Carson
National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment can enable anyone to live in recovery with a healthy and rewarding life. Recovery eliminates stigma, acknowledges the human faces of our family members, loved ones and friends that they are more than their addiction.
Recovery is possible with a new pathway toward improved health, well-being, positive relationships and leading a more productive and fulfilling life with the healing power of hope!
International Overdose Awareness Day was on August 31st. It is one of our largest annual campaigns to battle against these horrible poisonings and remember those who had died without stigma and acknowledged the grief of families and friends left behind.
The campaign raised awareness of overdoses, which had been one of the worst public health crises and stimulated action and discussion about evidenced-based overdose prevention and drug policy.
The overdose crisis has been international, yet the impact has been very personal. Drug overdoses had affected everyone, especially families, loved ones, and friends, as well as spontaneous first responders and good Samaritans who had attempted to relieve an unknown individual that had suffered an overdose.
International Overdose Awareness Day has provided each of us an opportunity to remember, but more importantly, to act.
We had come together as families, friends, and/or a community to join an event. And, it might have been as simple and thoughtful as in a backyard with refreshments and conversation, in a park, or a large community event with the reading of names and/or posting tributes.
I strongly believed that the most important action had been to carry and get trained with the opioid antidote, Naloxone.
Contact or call: Project Hope @ dhss.alaska.gov (907-334-2675) to find training in your community.
There was an opportunity to build Naloxone Kits in Anchorage, Friday, September 1st, and we plan to be hosting many more in the future. These are some of the many actions we’re taking to help move towards a healthier Mat-Su and State of Alaska. If you or someone you know is interested in working with us to host one of these at your business or school, please contact us through our website matsuopioidtaskforce.com
Let’s remember those lost too soon, who were beautiful people and never to be forgotten
Our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers were coming your way.