Death By Overdose

Kristal – The Value of all Those Lost

Kristal emphasizes that the lives of those lost to drug poisoning had value, they were an opportunity that was lost, and that the community is missing so much in their absence.

Krista – “Things you can do that help”

Krista shares some of the things that help her through the grieving process.

Nicole – Advice for Other Professionals Managing Grief

Nicole discusses dealing with repeated loss while working in community outreach, not being afraid to be human.

Kate – Triggers

Kate discusses how she deals with her emotions when something triggers her grief

Krista – “They are not trying to kill themselves”

Krista explains they are not trying to kill themselves. Krista continues to grieve the death of her son from opioid overdose.

Christian – “Stigma of opioid death”

Christian talks about the social acceptance of an opioid overdose.

Krista – “Mental illness and self medicating”

Krista talks about mental health and self medicating. Krista continues to grieve the death of her son from opioid overdose.

Thoughts on International Overdose Awareness Day 2023

We lead multifaceted lives, and the deaths of those we love who have died by drug poisoning contain multitudes. The death of a loved one can bring intense grief, shock, anger, shame, or guilt. People who use drugs, and those who love them that they leave behind, face stigma in North America’s dominant, settler culture.

Christian – “Grief in the opioid crisis”

Christian talks about looking for answers in great sadness.

Nicole – Stigma Surrounding Drug Use

Nicole discusses how the stigma around drug use has an impact on how people feel able to grieve when those in their community are lost.

Joyce -The pandemics impact on drug poisonings

Joyce talks about drug poisonings during the pandemic

Krista – “How a counsellor helps”

Krista explains how a grief counsellor has helped.