August 28, 2024International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), observed annually on 31 August, is a powerful campaign dedicated to ending overdose, remembering those who have died without stigma, and acknowledging the grief of their loved ones.
Associate Professor Joe Anthony Rotella, Clinical Toxicologist and Emergency Physician (Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology), poses a poignant question: “What is the difference between those who overdose and us? For most of us, we have not endured the same suffering or experiences. I sincerely hope no one ever does.”
He explains, “In some cases of overdose, it was a recreational mishap. There was no suicidal intent, there was no desire to die but the substance in question didn’t behave the way it did last time. In other cases, someone’s distress was so great and so terrible, that they were forced to take something to try and make that pain and suffering go away. At that time, your brain is working at its most primal level, trying anything to escape danger, distress, pain and/or fear. There is no space or opportunity to think rationally or, as some enlightened individuals suggest, to ‘snap out of it’. At that point, it feels like nothing could be worse. I think it is not a stretch to say that we all can think of times where we have felt the same way.”
“But it could happen to any one of us. Perhaps this realisation drives our response, or lack thereof… that the gap between us is not that wide after all?”
Scott Bell, Lead Peer Support Worker at North West Area Mental Health Service, emphasises, “Those with lived experience of alcohol and/or drug use are people first. Preventing overdose gives us the opportunity to continue our journey to abstain or gain our connection back to the community. Having faith in us, even after having multiple overdoes, still gives us hope, even in the darkest of hours. Compassion, curiosity and a genuine effort to include us in our own treatment goes a long way to help prevent overdose. Only we can remove the stigma of criminality and change the view towards this health crisis”.
The Northern Health Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology (APT) service is available to consumers admitted through the Northern Hospital Emergency Department, medical and surgical inpatients, psychiatry wards, and current consumers of our mental health services. Our services include specialist assessment, diagnosis, and clinical management of co-occurring substance use disorders and toxicity, as well as secondary consultations with treating teams for advice on diagnosis, clinical management, and treatment options.
Dr. Vinay Lakra, Divisional Director of Mental Health, states, “APT services at Northern Health are committed to providing evidence-based care to those who present with an overdose. This complements the efforts of our other clinical services in supporting patients to make positive choices. Together we can.”
Belinda Scott, Executive Director of Mental Health, urges, “On International Overdose Awareness Day, let us unite under the theme ‘Together We Can’ to raise awareness, advocate for change, and work towards ending the harm caused by overdose. Every voice counts in this vital campaign.”
A/Prof Rotella concludes, “So I put to you, if any of us could end up in the same circumstances, why shouldn’t we help? We can all ask about someone’s wellbeing, we can promote harm minimisation, and we can combat stigma. In other words, we can be safe, kind and together.”
Pictured the Community Mental Health Clinicians at Merri-bek (L-R): Georgia Borrack, Sarah Cunningham, Rohan Godfrey, Cem Sonmez, Josh Sollitt, Chris Jennings
