Overdose Awareness Day 2021

[31 August 2021]

South Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) marked Overdose Awareness Day 2021 with a memorial flower walk, starting at Ayr College, travelling along the beachfront and finishing at Millennium bridge.  

Each year we lose thousands of people from drug overdose globally. Some survive but suffer a permanent injury, with devastating impact to their families and friends.

South Ayrshire is not immune. You may have seen it, it has happened to people around you. Tomorrow, it could happen to someone you love.

International Overdose Awareness Day provides an opportunity for us to reflect on practical ways to prevent overdose in our community. Overdose is preventable. Knowing the real facts and what to do when you see someone experiencing an overdose DOES save lives.

Councillor Julie Dettbarn, Chair of the Integration Joint Board, who was in attendance for the walk, said, "I want to thank the organisers of this event and all those that attended, it showed real community spirit and allowed families affected to come together to pay respect to their loved ones."

The event also marked the launch of South Ayrshire ADP's new Peer 2 Peer Naloxone Network in partnership with RecoveryAyr. Volunteers in the Network will be residents of South Ayrshire who have lived or living experience of drug use or are an affected family member.

Volunteers in the network will receive training and support to engage with individuals at risk of an opiate related overdose. Following training volunteers will be able to provide training and a supply of take-home Naloxone and be confident in addressing any concerns or questions.  The Peer 2 Peer Naloxone Network aims to provide friendly, non-judgemental and confidential support.

Faye Murfet, ADP Coordinator said "Our new Peer 2 Peer Naloxone Network is a key part of our activities to try to reduce the number of people experiencing a drug related death, we are pleased to be able to launch this on such an important day."

Faye added, "We have been working with partners to roll out the use of Naloxone throughout South Ayrshire. Naloxone can make a huge difference helping reduce the number of people losing their lives to a drug related death in Scotland, the Peer 2 Peer Network is an opportunity to help our communities understand how overdose affects every single one of us and how everyone can make a difference."

For information on how to get involved in the Peer 2 Peer Naloxone Network please contact ADP@South-ayrshire.gov.uk or 01292 261 2147.