Maya Washburn / Asst. News Director
Overdose Awareness Day aims to spread awareness of drug-related deaths and remember those who have lost their lives over drug overdose.
The Miami Recovery Project (MRP) and FIU’s Panthers4Recovery teamed up to honor the annual holiday on Tuesday, Aug. 31, in the Graham Center of the Modesto Maidique Campus.
MRP was created in 2020 by the leaders of Panthers4Recovery, a student organization which holds recovery meetings on campus for students and community members.
“We had several of our friends who lost family members to overdoses and they would wish to speak about it. [Overdose Awareness Day] is a big group effort,” said Sherri Ahern, Panthers4Recovery president and doctoral student studying higher education.
The event noted the reality and scope of the problem and the importance of honoring Overdose Awareness Day. They featured recovery, treatment and support organizations across South Florida including South Florida Wellness Network, Alcoholics Anonymous, IDEA Exchange and Pridelines.
Jessica Hernandez, attendee and representative of South Florida Wellness Network shared what the event meant to her.
“I’m contributing to raising awareness about the stigma of overdose and what that looks like,” said Hernandez.
She explained that a stigma associated with overdose is the belief that someone with a substance abuse disorder will never change. She added that society puts this stigma on individuals because they simply do not have adequate education on the issue.
“The more people are educated, the more we can work together to end that stigma,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez noted she survived an overdose herself. She promoted the use and accessibility of Narcan, a prescription medication used to treat emergency overdose situations.
Fred Di Marco, author of Tears to Ink poetry book, was a distinguished speaker at the discussion.
Di Marco shared his experience about his son suffering from an overdose and later passing away.
“When you see somebody wearing the same shirt that your child wore, what do you do? You wear a ring for six years that your son wore. You get a tattoo and put his ashes in your tattoo,” said Di Marco. “How do you survive that grief? I don’t have an answer, but I can tell you that we survive to honor the fallen.”
Di Marco warned the audience about the dangers of drug use, referencing the opioid epidemic. He mentioned the use of drugs commonly laced with fentanyl, a strong opioid that can be lethal.
“The bootleg fentanyl that is now manufactured 24/7 in China has completely changed the game,” said Di Marco. “It’s now being put in meth, cocaine and even pot.”
He urged the audience to learn more about the issue in an effort to decrease the danger and tragedy of overdoses.
“Until we educate the government, the public and the private sector about the chronic brain disease of addiction, we’re not going to have the resources needed to treat those that still suffer,” said Di Marco.
MRP received a grant in 2020 of almost $150,000 from the Department of Children and Families to secure their physical meeting space in Coral Gables, according to Ahern.
Arrow, an IDEA Exchange representative, explained how the term “overdose” creates a negative stigma in itself.
He uses Arrow as his full name.
“When people say overdose… there is a stigma involved and they think junky; they think homeless… but it’s not only these types of people,” said Arrow. “Overdose comes from all walks of life.”
Arrow explained how his sobriety made him appreciate things he couldn’t enjoy while he was in active addiction.
“I like getting up at 3:30 in the morning, going to the refrigerator and cracking an ice cold Pepsi,” said Arrow. “I love my ceiling fan and my dog, and I’ve got keys.”
What may be a simple everyday activity can be the stress of another, Arrow explained. Addicts often use drugs as a way to cope with these responsibilities.
“Living in the streets is actually easy. I mean, it’s rough on the body… but it’s easy. You have no responsibility,” said Arrow. “Going to a job, paying rent, bills and stuff… It’s really hard. A lot of people even use so that they can get away from life.”
Arrow advised the audience on signs of an addiction cycle, which occurs due to a desire to escape an issue.
“If you have a problem, you use to get away from the problem. As the problem gets bigger, your habit gets bigger,” said Arrow. “You’re a hamster in a wheel.”
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