Center for Human Development (CHD) commemorates Overdose Awareness Month with Narcan drive-thru event
By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, August 21st, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Release from CHD) Local communities in La Grande and around the world are coming together this month to remember those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to drug overdose.
International Overdose Awareness Month seeks to create a better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use.
Global overdose rates have skyrocketed in the last 25 years. In 2020, an estimated 284 million people worldwide had used a drug in the past 12 months, a 26 percent increase from 2010.
The situation is especially severe in the US, and Oregon is no exception. Oregon Health Authority data shows that over 1,300 Oregonians lost their lives to accidental overdose in 2023, which is an increase from the 956 lives lost to accidental overdose in 2022.
In honor of Overdose Awareness Month, the Center for Human Development (CHD) is hosting a Narcan Drive-Thru event on August 26th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Narcan, a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses, will be distributed for free along with information on its use. Addiction treatment and recovery resources will be available to show that together we can make an impact in the fight against overdose. Purple ribbons will be shared as a remembrance for anyone impacted by or lost to overdose. CHD Recovery Mentors and Substance Use Treatment Providers will be on hand to meet and discuss ways that CHD is helping to address the opioid crisis. “Everyone is invited to attend” Said Taylor.
“By coming together, we stand together to say that more needs to be done to end overdose in our community,” said Brooke Taylor, Substance Use Treatment Coordinator at CHD. “Overdose impacts too many of us, whether you have used substances before or not. We encourage members of the community to come to our event and to stand in solidarity with the people who have been personally affected by overdose.” If you know someone who is dealing with addiction, we ask you to join us by coming by CHD to pick up Narcan. Narcan can reverse an opioid overdose, and it may save someone’s life.
Pennington Institute, an Australian not-for-profit, convenes International Overdose Awareness Month. This year for the first time, they have announced a campaign theme: Together we can, highlighting the power of community in tackling the overdose crisis.
A full list of the IOAD 2024 events currently planned around the world can be found at: https://www.overdoseday.com/events-2024/
For over 28 years, CHD has worked to help people in our community by providing care, treatment, assistance and training throughout Union County. CHD provides a variety of public health services as well as services for veterans, those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral health services including treatment for mental health and recovery from substance use disorder.
If you or someone you know is ready for treatment, please call CHD at 541-962-8800. CHD’s highly trained and skilled professionals can aid you in finding solutions to the struggles that you and your family may be experiencing. To learn more, call, click or stop by our offices.
CHD: Working for Healthy Communities
541-962-8800 ● 2301 Cove Avenue. La Grande, OR 97850 ● chdinc.org
Event Details:
Overdose Awareness Day and Narcan Drive-Thru Distribution
Date: August 26th, 2024
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Location: 2301 Cove Avenue, La Grande
For more information, visit chdinc.org
Media Contact:
Brooke Taylor, Substance Use Treatment Coordinator
Center for Human Development
Phone 541-962-8882
Email btaylor@chdinc.org
