Candlelit vigil to mark overdose awareness day
PEOPLE will be invited to light a candle for those affected by overdose at a vigil event in Lerwick tomorrow (Monday).
The event at the flower park, which will take place between 8pm and 10pm, will be held to mark International Overdose Awareness Day.
The Shetland Alcohol and Drug Partnership said it was a chance for the community to “come together in remembrance, reflection and hope”.
“Every day, overdose impacts individuals, families, friends, and communities,” it said.
“By increasing awareness and understanding, we can help prevent future tragedies.
Together we will remember those who have died from overdose, support those left behind, and encourage conversations that help save lives.”
The poignant event has been held annually for a number of years in the Lerwick flower park.
The theme for this year’s International Overdose Awareness Day is that 25 years on, it is “still needed”.
Some of the key themes of the long-running campaign is that overdose “can and must be prevented” and that prevention solutions exist.
NHS Shetland’s alcohol and drug development officer Wendy Henderson said substance use is “highly stigmatised, meaning that overdose is too”.
“Families who have lost someone they love have told us that it can be hard to grieve properly, in the midst of the stigma they experience,” she added.
“In addition to raising awareness and preventing further deaths, marking International Overdose Awareness Day with the candlelit event, provides a community space for families to remember and honour their loved ones, free from judgement or stigma.
“Even if you haven’t been personally affected by overdose, please accept this invitation to come along to the event and show your support and solidarity.”
The Substance Support and Recovery Service can be found in the Lerwick Health Centre and contacted on 01595 743006.
The Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network is located in Lerwick’s Pitt Lane.
Its phone number is 01595 744402 and email is recoveryhub@shetland.gov.uk.
The Shetland Alcohol and Drug Partnership’s website can be found here.
Information on naloxone, which can reverse the effects of opioid drugs, can also be found here.
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