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Our Children Our Way Society Recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day

News Release – Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Territory

K’emk’emelay̓ (Vancouver). The Our Children Our Way Society stands with communities across Turtle Island and around the world to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31.

International Overdose Awareness Day provides an opportunity to acknowledge the devastating impacts of the overdose crisis, to hold in our hearts those we have lost, and to support those who are affected by coming together to create meaningful change.

In 2016, BC declared the toxic drug crisis a public health emergency. Since then, more than 14,000 British Columbians have died of toxic drug poisoning.

The toxic drug crisis has had a disproportionate impact on First Nations communities. Earlier this month, the First Nations Health Authority reported that between 2015 and 2021, life expectancy for First Nations people decreased by 7.1 years. Toxic drug poisoning is the most important cause of decreasing life expectancy among First Nations people.

Staff within Indigenous Child & Family Service Agencies witness the effects of the opioid crisis on a daily basis. Growing numbers of children are coming into care while their parents struggle with addiction. In far too many cases, those children lose their parents to toxic drug deaths. Without essential mental wellness supports, children and youth are also at risk—especially as they transition out of care and into adulthood.

“We are witnessing a crisis in mental health and substance use amongst Indigenous children, youth and families. If their needs continue to go unmet, we will continue to see the loss of young people in our communities. Despite these challenges, many communities have done well in promoting wellness, and there is much to learn from Indigenous approaches,” says Nazeem Ratanshi, Executive Director of Programs, Xyólheméylh – Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children & Family Services Society.

The Our Children Our Way Society advocates for coordinated and collaborative action to shift the trajectory of this crisis.  And as described in Culture is Healing: An Indigenous Child & Youth Mental Wellness Framework, meaningful change requires actions at individual, practice and system levels.

This International Overdose Awareness Day, we will remember those whose lives have been lost through this crisis. To honour them, and to stand with their families, friends and communities, we commit to take action and be a voice for change.

Resources:

From Culture is Healing: An Indigenous Child & Youth Mental Wellness Framework

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For further comment, please contact: Jennifer Chuckry, Executive Director, Our Children Our Way Secretariat, [email protected]

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