Elsie Adamo
MOUNT Gambier residents gathered this week to remember those to have who have been lost to substance use disorder.
Held on Wednesday night, the vigil recognised International Overdose Awareness Day. The vigil was attended by around 35 community members, many of who work in emergency services and not-for-profit organisations.
Co-hosted by Limestone Coast Drug Action Team and Rotary Mount Gambier West, the theme for the annual day in 2022 was ‘time to remember, time to act’, encouraging both reflection and action.
The event was opened with a Welcome to Country by Tim Brennan, followed by speeches by Sophie Bourchier from Substance Misuse Limestone Coast, Sergeant Jade Hill from South Australia Police and Ray Herbert from Rotary Mt Gambier West, which sponsored the event.
Ms Bourchier in her speech, quoted the founder of International Overdose Awareness Day, Sally Finn, who started the day after working at a needle and syringe program in St Kilda.
“Since 2001, 35,000 Australians have died from an overdose,” Ms Bourchier said.
“The overdose toll has exceeded the road toll since 2014, and there is still not a national overdose prevention strategy.”
Rotary West president Mr Herbert said in his speech he and the organisation supported the work being done locally to reduce the stigma around substance abuse disorder.
“Rotary is community, we are a collective and a representation of community and as such we are more than happy to co-host this event,” Mr Herbert said.
“I am aware of Rotarians that have been affected…we support whatever endeavours the community can gather to assist in the efforts of protecting people.”
The speeches were followed by a minute of silence to remember those lost.
Following the event, Ms Bourchier said she hoped the event would help reduce stigma.
“[The event is about] raising awareness, reducing the stigma and shame attached to someone dying from overdose and making it okay to talk about it and putting it into the mainstream.”
Now in its second year, Ms Bourchier hopes the vigil continues to grow.
“There were some community members here, families, friends and agency workers. It was a great turnout,” she said.
“It is bigger this year than it was last year. Rome was not built in a day. Slowly but surely, we will keep chipping away.
