See how Youth Projects acknowledged International Overdose Awareness Day

Death by overdose: preventable yet underfunded

The Pennington Institute’s Annual Overdose report has confirmed that deaths from overdose continue to rise while funding for harm reduction programs still remain chronically underfunded.

International Overdose Awareness Day is where we remember those lost needlessly to drug overdose and raise awareness that overdose is preventable!

Over 42,000 Australians have died from drug overdose since the year 2000.

These deaths are wholly preventable if our government have the will to fund proven interventions. Despite the rising death toll from drug overdoses, the government only spends 1.5 per cent of total drug strategy funding on harm reduction programs. 

Overdose deaths are double the road toll but little is being done, when, like the road toll, we have strategies that can halt these preventable deaths.

Youth Projects is calling on the government to implement the following measures which both saves lives and relieves pressure on already stressed emergency responders:

• Boost the supply, distribution and administration of the overdose reversal nasal spray, Naloxone, which is one of the most effective measures to prevent overdose death.
• Fund an expansion of drug outreach services and peer-led services throughout Victoria to cover gaps in emergency response and drug education to communities most at risk of overdose.
• Adopt a new Synthetic Opioids Response Plan and implement immediately.
• Urgently roll out of pill testing capacity accessible freely to the public.

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Overdose Awareness Day at Youth Projects  

On Friday, Youth Projects acknowledged International Overdose Awareness Day at The Living Room, our unique primary health service located in Melbourne's Hosier Lane. 

To acknowledge the day, clients of The Living Room painted one of the walls of the famous Hosier Lane black. Clients, staff and the general public were invited to write a message or the name of a loved one who has passed away due to an overdose. Clients, including those who are sleeping rough, were invited to join a BBQ lunch at The Living Room where there were stories shared of those we have lost, connections made with one another and we engaged in open discussions about drug use and safety. 

Following the lunch, Naloxone training was provided by a former Paramedic and one of our Foot Patrol Drug and Safety Outreach Workers. This informative session provided life-changing advice such as:

• Call 000: Always call emergency services immediately if you are assisting someone who has overdosed.
• Free Naloxone: Available at pharmacies at no cost.
• Emergency Response: Paramedics will provide help without involving the police unless there is a threat.
• Using Narcan: Administer Narcan by spraying into one nostril and ensure the person’s head is tilted back.
• Opioid Use Safety: Take it slow with opioid use, especially if it has been a while since your last use.

Naloxone was distributed by a local Pharmacist to all in attendance to provide the life-saving overdose reversal drug to those in the community.

Today's activities were a powerful reminder of our commitment to supporting those affected by overdose and promoting awareness in our community. 

The Living Room offers free healthcare and support to improve the physical, mental and social well-being of individuals who are, or are at risk of, experiencing homelessness. It is the only service of its kind in Melbourne and is distinguished by its focus on the social determinants of health. This approach allows us to look beyond diseases or illnesses to understand and address the overall situation of each person. Clients can access on site services that include Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling and Opioid Replacement Therapy. 

Our Night Nurses and Foot Patrol teams provide free healthcare and harm minimisation on the streets of Melbourne's CBD for people sleeping rough or in crisis accommodation. They provide a range of services including clean injecting equipment and needle and syringe-safe disposals. The staff at The Living Room, the Night Nurses and Foot Patrol team always strive to have Naloxone on site in case of an overdose.