Uniting Communities in Mount Gambier recently held a community barbecue and information event for International Overdose Awareness Day.

Uniting Communities and New ROADS senior coordinator Lisa Wheeler said the event was about education, information and facilitating discussions to normalise and de-stigmatise the conversations relating to people being affected by substance use.

“It’s a day for us to think about those people who have lost someone through overdose,” Ms Wheeler said.

“We think about those that have survived and lived with substance issues and the effects that can have on their life.

“Substance use is actually a health issue and we are trying to raise awareness around that.”

Ms Wheeler said stigma prevented people from accessing help and she wanted them to feel more comfortable about reaching out for help and support to prevent overdose deaths.

“If it means a few more people feel a bit more comfortable talking about it or asking questions about it or people feel more understood because of it, that’s what it’s about,” Ms Wheeler said.

“We’re trying to get the message out, let’s put our judgements aside and let’s have safe and healthy conversations about what people need to implement change.

“We’re becoming more open about discussion relating to mental health and suicide, I would love to live in a world where substance use is also spoken about more openly alongside these issues.”

Ms Wheeler said she would also like to see change regarding the language people used when they spoke about substance use and overdose.

“There’s actually a real person behind the tragedy of overdose,” she said.

“Every overdose is preventable and tragic.”

Ms Wheeler said local services including New ROADS, Aboriginal Community Connect and Life Without Barriers were available for people to reach out to for support.