University Of Montana Shines A Light On Overdose Awareness
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, and the University of Montana will be hosting several events to mark the day.
I spoke with Leah Fitch-Brody, Substance Use Disorder Coordinator for Missoula County, about the events surrounding the day.
August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day
“Every year in Missoula, we honor International Overdose Awareness Day that happens on August 31, but we tend to do events and awareness raising before the actual day, and then on the actual day, on the 31st, we're going to have a vigil and have some people speaking outside of Main Hall on University of Montana's campus,” began Fitch-Brody.
Fitch-Brody said the color purple will be part of the awareness-raising events.
UM's Mail Hall will be Lit Up in Purple to Commemorate the Day
“The main hall will be lit up purple that night in honor of those we've lost to overdose,” she said. “We're doing a lot of education as well in different kinds of pop-up educational spots around how you, as a community member, help address this issue in terms of the rates of overdoses that we're seeing, such as how you can respond to an overdose? How can you help family and friends who may be struggling with addiction?”
Fitch-Brody said training will be conducted for those wishing to help the fight against overdoses.
The Organization is Offering Training to Respond to an Overdose
“We are doing our second annual training of the trainer, so people who are interested in training others on how to respond to an overdose can come to a free Train the Trainer on campus on September 16, from four to six p.m.”
Fitch-Brody said there has been some good news reported in the fight against overdose deaths.
The Good News is that Overdose Deaths are Down by 27 Percent
“Nationwide, we have seen a reduction in overdose deaths,” she said. “Last year we saw a 27 percent decrease in overdose fatalities across the nation, and that included in Montana and in Missoula. So we are seeing a downward trend, and I think a lot of this is due to the increase in awareness around this issue, Narcan in our communities, and connecting people to treatment and recovery resources.”
Following events on campus, Main Hall will be lit up in purple to commemorate the fight against overdoses.