Many caring people and groups are organizing an event for International Overdose Awareness Day at the Quinault Wellness Center and everyone’s invited.
It’s the third year in a row there’s been such a day at the wellness center — 511 W. Heron St., in Aberdeen. The point of the event is to provide help and support to people who have lost friends and relatives to opioid addiction. It’s also to provide information for people who want to help someone afflicted.
And in Aberdeen, opioid addiction is prevalent. Drug use continues to be seen throughout the city. The effects of drugs are seen not only in the alleys, but on the streets and on the sidewalks. In July, Aberdeen Rotary Club welcomed Naloxone training. Last year, a sous chef who was at work stepped up and saved a man’s life in downtown Aberdeen. It’s why a place like Quinault Wellness Center exists, to help people battle this faceless foe.
Jerry Rajcich, community health specialist for Grays Harbor County Public Health, said he supports this day.
“I believe Overdose Awareness Day is important in Grays Harbor because in some way, all of us have been impacted by overdose,” Rajcich said Tuesday. “For many years, Grays Harbor County has unfortunately had one of the highest overdose fatality rates per-capita in Washington state.”
Rajcich said the free event, will take place on Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m., can help.
“It gives community members from all walks of life the opportunity to engage with many of the community partners and service providers in our area,” Rajcich said. “Connections can be made, friendships forged, and the sense of belonging strengthened — we are all in this together and this event highlights the importance of community attachment.”
The all-ages, family event will offer free food, youth activities, raffle prizes, Naloxone training, Narcan kits and rock painting. While the list of sponsors is quite long, it highlights how important opioid awareness is. Drug addiction can happen to anyone.
“Because the impact of overdose is so widespread, Overdose Awareness Day gives those who have experienced loss the opportunity to mourn and remember loved ones who have passed so tragically,” Rajcich said. “In addition to remembering those lost, this event also holds Naloxone training and provides the lifesaving medication for free to any community member who wants it. This is one of the tools we can use to empower each other to save a life and prevent tragedy.”
In July, at a Naloxone training, Aberdeen Police Chief Dale Green said the county had close to 400 overdoses in the last year. Aberdeen alone had more than 130 drug overdoses this past year. The most important element to remember about Naloxone is it can keep someone alive.
Rajcich recalled a powerful outcome that came from Overdose Awareness Day during the first event in August 2022.
“During our first event two years ago, a mom with two young children stopped by because they noticed our bouncy house and wanted to check things out,” Rajcich said. “It turned out that her husband had recently passed away from an overdose, widowing her and leaving the children without a dad. During the event, she was able to connect with others who had experienced loss due to overdose, share her story, and connect to local resources for those grieving.”
Rajcich said the day itself is “ultimately about community connection.”
“The community comes together to host this event to share stories, remember those lost, bring the resources to the people in need, empower community members to take action and to have a good time,” Rajcich said. “It is my honor to be a part of such a great event and I hope we can continue to do this for years to come.”
