It’s August, which means only one thing.
It’s time to fold cranes to raise awareness of International Overdose Awareness Day.
A day where we get to increase understanding about drug use, challenge stereotypes and address the underlying stigma that can be associated with overdose and drug use more generally.
This year the theme is ‘A Forest of Cranes’ and you may see some of the trees popping up at services across the island.
Once again there are a range of opportunities to get involved, including the events to be hosted by the ATDC, Anglicare Tasmania, YFCC and the Launceston City Mission on International Overdose Awareness Day on Wednesday, 31 August 2021 – more information on the locations is in this edition of eNews.
Like many of you reading this, you may have your own lived experience of overdose.
Last year I took the opportunity to share one of my personal experiences and this year I’d love to share with you a beautiful piece written by ATDC Sector Development Manager, Dan Vautin. It was published in the Pulse of Tasmania magazine following International Overdose Awareness Day last year – and I strongly encourage you to read it. I think it beautifully captures the essence of why we fold cranes, and why the work we all do is so important. Thank you to Dan for sharing this story with us all.
Whether you’re hosting an event, folding one crane or hundreds. Thank you for supporting this important day.
Alison Lai
Chief Executive Officer