Bendigo health and community services are coming together to remember those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to drug overdose.

The annual International Overdose Awareness Day seeks to create better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and the harms associated with drug use.

Bendigo Community Health Services, Thorne Harbour Health, Salvation Army, Australian Community Support Organisation, Ambulance Victoria and Youth Support + Advocacy Service are hosting a free event and barbecue in the Bendigo Library Gardens from 12 noon to 2pm on August 31.

The event will offer the community a chance to learn about the risk of overdose, how to respond, and the services available in Bendigo. It will also be a chance to remember loved ones in a safe environment.

Coroner’s Court of Victoria figures show that between July 2020 and July 2022, there were 200 overdose deaths in regional Victoria, caused by both illicit and licit substances.

BCHS acting Senior Leader Alcohol and Other Drugs Non‑Residential Lisa Walklate said we have the knowledge, expertise and services in Bendigo to drive those numbers down.

“Drug overdose is preventable,” Lisa said. “Practical strategies to reverse and prevent overdoses and reduce the harms associated with problematic drug use are available.

“One of the aims of International Overdose Awareness Day is to increase awareness of evidence-based strategies to help prevent harms and deaths from overdose.”

This year’s IOAD theme is ‘recognizing those who go unseen’. Salvation Army Non-Residential AOD Team Leader-Loddon Matthew Malouf said the theme honours people whose lives have been altered by overdose.

“They are the family and friends grieving the loss of a loved one; workers in healthcare and support services extending strength and compassion; or spontaneous first responders who selflessly assume the role of lifesaver,” Matthew said.

“We encourage members of the community with lived experience to come to our event and to stand in solidarity with the men and women who have been personally affected by overdose.”

The City of Greater Bendigo council will help mark the day by lighting the Conservatory purple from sunset to sunrise on August 30 and 31.

International Overdose Awareness Day is convened by the not-for-profit Penington Institute.