Shoe ceremony remembers drug victims

TWELVE pairs of empty shoes were placed at The Midsteeple on Saturday to mark everyone who died in the region last year from drugs. The poignant event was organised by NHS Dumfries and Galloway and third-sector partners to mark International Overdose Awareness Day. Representatives from the health board’s Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service (SDAS), recovery charity We Are With You and others joined to place the shoes on the steps in the town centre, one for each of the 12, as well as others for those lost in previous years. Cate Meagher, from SDAS, said: “International Overdose Awareness day is a way of showing our respect to those who have lost their lives to drugs and for their families and loved ones. “SDAS and partners who work in Drug and Alcohol Services in the region have arranged this memorial to take place at the end of a week of events to educate and raise awareness about drug use and drug deaths. There has been a particular focus on Naloxone this year so that people in the region know about it and as many as possible know how to use it. A short training course on how to use this medication has been available to staff and the public this week and is also available throughout the year.”

Valerie White, director of public health at NHS Dumfries and Galloway and co-vice chair of the region’s alcohol and drugs partnership attended, she added: “The Midsteeple memorial was a very visual and moving way to highlight the lives lost in our region due to drug use. The memorial provided an opportunity to reflect on and acknowledge the impact for individuals, families and friends. “People who use drugs face a lot of stigma and it is important that we challenge this and understand that this is a health issue and show kindness and understanding as we would with other people managing a long term health issue. Reducing stigma would empower more people to ask for help and support and also support people in recovery.”