Overdose Awareness Day - Free Local Support Available

This Sunday, 31 August is International Overdose Awareness Day. This event has its roots in Australia, beginning in 2001 as a social gathering of local people impacted by this health issue, and is now the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, drug-related hospitalisations continue to increase nationally. In Australia’s Annual Overdose Report 2024 published by Penington Institute, the Nepean Blue Mountains region, which covers the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith areas, has a higher rate of deaths by overdose than the National average.

Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, through funding from the Federal Government, has established key community-based alcohol and other drug support services across the region. These include Dianella Cottage in Katoomba and Lithgow, The Street University in Katoomba and Penrith and WHOS in Hawkesbury and Penrith.

Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said that she was proud to have brought these additional services to the region.

“Essential to what we do as a Primary Health Network, and as a regional health planning and funding body, is knowing our communities, understanding the local health needs and identifying what services we can bring to the region to address those needs,” said Ms Reay.

“A large part of preventing overdose is breaking down the stigma of alcohol and other drug related issues and encouraging people to seek support early,” she continued.

“When it comes to supporting people with alcohol and other drug concerns, it’s important to recognise that not one size fits all. While residential rehabilitation services are important, they don’t suit everyone. Some people have work and family responsibilities that prevent them from being able to commit to a residential program and this can act as a barrier to seeking help,” said Ms Reay.

Read full release Blue Mountains and Lithgow
Read full release Hawkesbury and Penrith