A national organisation will mark the 19th annual International Remembrance Day on July 23 in Sydney for families of those who have lost loved ones to accidental overdose, drug-related suicide and other drug related deaths.
About 1400 people die each year from drug related causes.
Sylvia Choi of Oyster Bay died from a suspected drug overdose at the Stereosonic music festival on November 28, 2015.
Recent research commissioned by Family Drug Support showed that half of all people would hide a family member’s drug or alcohol problems from their friends.
Family Drug Support founder, Tony Trimingham, says many people feel shame having a drug or alcohol dependent family member.
“This serves to stop them from seeking the support and assistance they need,” he said.
“We are seeing overdose deaths increase each year and people hiding what is happening only increases the risk that families could lose those they care for to drugs.
“Through our work we aim to de-stigmatise drug and alcohol problems and reinforce the message that drug related harms and deaths do not discriminate, and most importantly, support and assistance is available.”
