Dialogue hopes to tackle overdose crisis in South Delta

DELTA (NEWS 1130) — The opioid overdose crisis has claimed thousands of lives in B.C. and an event in Delta wants people to start speaking openly about the crisis in order to save lives.

“Our hope for the event is that we start the dialogue in this area so that we can save lives. We have lots of people who are still overdosing, still dying and they are precious, precious lives worth saving,” says Ariana Wingfield, project coordinator with the Delta Community Action Team.

Wingfield says that statistics suggest that you know someone who is at risk–even if you don’t think you do.

“People are using alone because of stigma and the barriers that have been put up because of shame,” she explains. “We’re really trying to get at that friends and family population so that we can keep our loved ones safe. Come and learn how to talk to your loved ones and to know the signs and symptoms of substance use, it could really save some lives.”

A 2018 report from the BC Coroner’s Service shows more than 70 per cent of overdoses in the province happened in private residences, which Wingfield says shows this crisis is not confined to people experiencing homelessness.

The same report shows people employed in trades and transport are disproportionately affected. Forty-four per cent of people who experienced an overdose were employed, and 55 per cent of these worked in that industry. In the Fraser region the proportion jumps to 70 per cent.

The dialogue will bring together people with lived experience of substance use, people who have survived overdose, health professionals and police. Afterward, Naloxone training will be provided.

Wingfield is hoping it will allow the community to understand how the crisis affects people in the community, which may help them develop strategies and solutions that will work for them.

“We are still seeing overdoses happening in South Delta. Each community is very unique in terms of their set of needs.”

The dialogue is scheduled for Oct. 30 at 6 p.m.