Memory in Villach: Too many drug victims and their forgotten stories

Memory in Villach: Too many drug victims and their forgotten stories

In Villach, an important international commemoration day for deceased drug useists will be committed on Monday, July 21st. The event takes place at 3 p.m. on Nikolaiplatz and is designed by the organizations Drug ambulatorium Roots, the youth emergency sleeping center Villach (Juno) and Foroom Streetwork Villach. The aim of the event is to remember the fate of the deceased and to draw attention to the challenges in the drug environment. The organizers emphasize that the increasing number of drug -related deaths signals a large need for action.

In 2023 there was an alarming increase to 2227 deaths in connection with illegal drugs in Germany, the highest value for almost 20 years. This emerges from reports from the Federal Drug Commissioner who indicate the importance of support and help. Burkhard Blienert, the representative for addiction and drug policy, has come to the fore the tragic fates of those affected and their relatives and demanded a paradigm shift in addiction policy. "Drug consumption should be seen as a problem of public health," says Blienert, and he calls for more efforts in the areas of prevention, health protection and targeted advice and therapy.

forget-me-not seed as a sign of memory

As part of the memorial event, “forget-me-not seeds” are distributed, which are supposed to symbolically remind you of the deceased drug use. In addition to the exchange room for relatives and interested parties, information material is also provided to clarify help and prevention measures. The services offered by the organizers include "Harm Reduction", medical care, psychosocial support and support when returning to work and low -threshold advice.

Before the central commemoration day there is a special preliminary event: On Sunday, July 20th, the "Social Run" starts at 8 a.m. at the Bleistter Moor in Feldkirchen under the motto "Life runs". This run is intended to set a sign of the vitality and resilience of those affected and at the same time indicate the need for a better drug policy.

use for more support

The organizers demand recognition of addiction as a disease to improve prevention and care for affected people and to enable them to live without stigmatization. It is time that those affected are understood not only as criminals, but as humans in need. More than 150,000 people die annually from the consequences of tobacco and alcohol - here too there is a need for action.

The memorial events that have been taking place since 1997 should give the victims of drug abuse a voice and at the same time indicate the existing challenges in drug policy. The drug aid organizations are strong for a society that has the courage to counter these people with support, understanding and help. An invitation to everyone to gather and commemorate themselves in Villach on July 21st - because every voice counts in the fight against the stigma and for a decent life.

Further information and backgrounds on drug policy can be found in the detailed reports of the bundesdrogenbeitter.de and at the dbdd.de. So it is to be hoped that the day of commemoration is not only a moment of pausing, but also an impetus for changes in drug policy.