November 20-26 is National Addiction Awareness Week
November 24, 2022
This week is National Addictions Awareness Week (November 20th-26th), which is dedicated to raising awareness about addiction and substance use related harms and reducing stigma. This year’s theme is “A Community of Caring” and is focused on what Canadian communities are doing to support those who have addiction.
Addiction is not a choice and can touch any family, community, and workplace. It is also heavily stigmatized, and this stigma can prevent people from seeking help and services.
Support exists for those with addiction who are seeking help for their substance use, as well as for those who are using substances. Those who use drugs can reduce their risk of overdose and death by starting with small amounts, carrying naloxone, not using alone or going to a supervised consumption site, knowing their tolerance, and by having their drugs checked before using. Individuals can also create a safety plan, have a friend check in on them, or call the National Overdose Prevention Line at 1-888-688-6677.
