Recovery Arts Communities Unite for International Overdose Awareness Day

Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Ourspace and Project X groups joined up on a national project in July with nine regional recovery arts organisations in seven UK cities to create a short film which will be broadcast via social media on 31st August, Overdose Awareness Day. Over 50 individuals in recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol came together to create the film which remembers those that have been lost to overdose.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event each year that raises awareness of overdose and helps reduce the stigma of drug-related death. It acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends by remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury because of drug overdose. It also aims to spread the message that overdose death is preventable.

Each year around 5000 people die due to drug overdose in the UK, often leaving loved ones with more questions than answers. Started in 2018 in Brighton and lead by participatory theatre company Small Performance Adventures, ‘Overdose Awareness Day Live’ has grown to include more locations each year. Demonstrating the scale and desire to mark the day around the UK.

Originally conceived as a series of pop-up performances across the country, the project has had to adapt over the last 18 months due to the impact of the coronavirus. Overcoming this adversity, and ensuring that Covid guidance is adhered to, the organisations participating in ‘Overdose Awareness Day Live’ have created a powerful and moving film that is sure to reach the hearts of anyone tuning in on 31st August.

Victoria Wheelan, Engagement Manager at Theatre Royal Plymouth said: “There is something powerful when people come together in this way and speak out for those who couldn’t find their voice and sadly are no longer with us. Recently a member of the group was lost this way, so It’s very real and raw”.

Our Space Member, Tara Casey said: “A friend from my school days took his life in adulthood and it’s left its mark on our families and our extended friendship group. Overdose Awareness Day is day dedicated to remembering him and all those lost in this way or in danger of it and encourages us to reach out to one another”.

Participating organisations are: small performance adventures, Brighton; Our Space, Theatre Royal Plymouth; Bristol Drugs Project, Bristol; Fallen Angels, Chester; TiPP, Manchester; The Mens Room, Manchester; Geese Theatre, Birmingham; Outside Edge Theatre Co., London; Edit Sweet, Brighton; We Are Not Saints, Brighton.