The Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council of Tasmania has been inundated by thousands of origami cranes, after calling on members of the community to help fold 1,000 cranes for International Overdose Awareness Day.
The Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council of Tasmania has been inundated by thousands of origami cranes, after calling on members of the community to help fold 1,000 cranes for International Overdose Awareness Day.
Drug overdose impacts Tasmanians of all backgrounds, with more than one person lost every week to overdose across Tasmania.
Observed on the 31st of August every year, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) seeks to create better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use.
ATDC chief executive Alison Lai said that IOAD will be an important opportunity for the Tasmanian community to remember those lost to overdose.
“Overdose can affect all of us, it could be you or someone you love, your friend, colleague or neighbour,” Ms Lai said.
Event details
Senbazuru is the art of folding 1,000 paper cranes. It is said that if you fold 1,000 paper cranes and make a wish, it will come true. The ATDC is calling on members of the Tasmanian community to fold a crane and/or share a story of a loved or a personal lived experience of drug overdose.
“We have been overwhelmed with the community response so far, quickly surpassing our initial goal of one thousand cranes and well on our way to two thousand,” Ms Lai said.
The ATDC has already received contributions from many organisations and individuals including Primary Health Tasmania, Ambulance Tasmania, The Bridge Program, Missiondale, Serenity House, City of Hobart, Youth Family & Community Connections, Anglicare, Karadi Aboriginal Corporation, UTAS students and the Tasmanian Leaders Program.
“No family should ever have to go through the pain of losing a loved one because of overdose and this has clearly resonated with people from all walks of life right across Tasmania,” Ms Lai said.
The ATDC will launch the display of cranes 10am, Friday 30 August at the Waterside Pavilion, Hobart. The cranes will then travel across Tasmania – organisations interested in hosting the display are encouraged contact the ATDC.
The ATDC can provide paper and/or collect folded cranes, just contact Katie on 6231 5002 or katie@atdc.org.au. Cranes can be dropped off at the ATDC offices, at Suite 1, Level 1/175 Collins Street. To be included as part of the display, all cranes will need to be received by the ATDC by 5pm, Friday 23 August.
“We hope that people across Tasmania will come together and join us in creating thousands of cranes in honour of those who have died or been injured because of an overdose,” Ms Lai said.
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ATDC Media Contact: Alison Lai, CEO – 0450 517 017
ATDC Events Officer: Katie Henderson – 6231 5002 katie@atdc.org.au
The ATDC gratefully acknowledges City of Hobart for supporting the International Overdose Awareness Day launch event.
