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Ad Campaign Teaches People About The Effects Of Drugs So As To Prevent Overdose And Death
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Ad Campaign Teaches People About The Effects Of Drugs So As To Prevent Overdose And Death

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According to the latest available data from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, it is estimated that there were at least 8,799 drug-related deaths in 2017 among those aged 15 to 64 years old in Europe. Sadly, most of them could have been prevented, had people had the right education about drugs and their safe usage.

For the most part of our history, people have been using drugs and I think it is safe to say, this will continue to be so. Individuals have different reasons for using certain psychoactive narcotics, but when it comes to the safety of drug use, not everyone is in the know, when it should be the norm. When it comes to overdosing, the right education can prevent the horrific deaths of young people. This non-profit organization in Norway is doing just that – they are trying to educate people about the safe use of drugs and have recently come up with a powerful ad campaign.

More info: Alkemist | Association For Safer Drug Policies

RELATED:

    “Thomas did not die when he tried GHB. He avoided alcohol all night and dosed correctly”

    Image credits: Alkemist | Association For Safer Drug Policies

    “Knowledge can save lives. Accurate and useful information about drugs without moralizing. By informing about the effect, risk, and precautions when using various drugs, we are reducing harm,” the association writes about their campaign.

    “Sarah did not die when she tried MDMA. She took just half a dose and waited to feel the effects”

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    Image credits: Alkemist | Association For Safer Drug Policies

    Two years ago, Norway became the first Scandinavian country to decriminalize drugs in a historic vote. The government in this well-off Northern country, are putting more focus on prevention, psychological help, investment in treatment programs and aftercare facilities, rather than mindless punishments of those who’re using drugs.

    “John did not die when he overdosed on heroin. He was not alone and his friends had naloxone”

    Image credits: Alkemist | Association For Safer Drug Policies

    Sveinung Stensland, deputy chairman of the Storting Health Committee, told the media back in 2017: “The change will take some time, but that means a changed vision: those who have a substance abuse problem should be treated as ill, and not as criminals with classical sanctions such as fines and imprisonment.”

    “Emma did not die when she overdosed on alcohol. Her friends recognized the symptoms and called 911”

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    Image credits: Alkemist | Association For Safer Drug Policies

    The Association For Safer Drugs policies has a website in which they provide information about various drugs, their effects and the duration of effects, as well. According to the association, their goal is “to prevent injury by providing knowledge of the effects, risks, and precautions when using various drugs.” Unfortunately, the information is only available in the Norwegian language. If you’re interested, you can follow this link to learn more about safe drug use.

    “Sophie did not die when she tried LSD. She’d had the substance tested and knew what it contained”

    Image credits: Alkemist | Association For Safer Drug Policies

    When it comes to drug use (or anything for that matter) – the more you know the better. You never know when this information is going to save somebody’s life.

    Here’s how people reacted

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    Neringa Utaraitė

    Neringa Utaraitė

    Author, Community member

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    Neringa is a proud writer at Bored Panda who used to study English and French linguistics. Although she has many different interests, she's particularly drawn to covering stories about pop culture as well as history. While not at the office, this Panda enjoys creepy movies, poetry, photography and learning how to play the piano.

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    Neringa Utaraitė

    Neringa Utaraitė

    Author, Community member

    Neringa is a proud writer at Bored Panda who used to study English and French linguistics. Although she has many different interests, she's particularly drawn to covering stories about pop culture as well as history. While not at the office, this Panda enjoys creepy movies, poetry, photography and learning how to play the piano.

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    Stevie
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can preach 'no drugs' forever there will always be people who don't listen to you - so tell them how to use them safely. It's like preaching no sex as a contraceptive: sure would be great if everyone waits until they are truely ready to deal with the consequences but that's not how it works so to prevent teenage pregnancies teach them safe sex. I don't take drugs and hopefully never will but I know a lot of people want to try them so we should make it as safe as possible for them. I don't want to lose a friend just because they weren't educated about the drugs they were taking.

    DC
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Agree completely, but get that into a conservative mindset, where deviance from the usual is seen as genuinely bad. Conservatives don't think in a logic that links causes and effects and picks the means taken by the desired effect, but pretty much the other way round, they pick the means to be taken based on how they'll be seen as someone who's "tough on the criminals", not based on actual effects in harm reduction - that comes as it comes ... if there is any good to report, it's the effect of their toughery on the users ... if there's any bad to report, it either is out of their power to adress is, or they weren't tough enough ... while every research shows that decriminalization and an honest offer of help for those who seek it shows better results, less crime, less health issues, less mortality, they also have certain obligations towards the people running private "correction facilities" - these are to be full all the time. Aren't? State pays a penalty feel. Disgusting!

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    Stevie
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can preach 'no drugs' forever there will always be people who don't listen to you - so tell them how to use them safely. It's like preaching no sex as a contraceptive: sure would be great if everyone waits until they are truely ready to deal with the consequences but that's not how it works so to prevent teenage pregnancies teach them safe sex. I don't take drugs and hopefully never will but I know a lot of people want to try them so we should make it as safe as possible for them. I don't want to lose a friend just because they weren't educated about the drugs they were taking.

    DC
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Agree completely, but get that into a conservative mindset, where deviance from the usual is seen as genuinely bad. Conservatives don't think in a logic that links causes and effects and picks the means taken by the desired effect, but pretty much the other way round, they pick the means to be taken based on how they'll be seen as someone who's "tough on the criminals", not based on actual effects in harm reduction - that comes as it comes ... if there is any good to report, it's the effect of their toughery on the users ... if there's any bad to report, it either is out of their power to adress is, or they weren't tough enough ... while every research shows that decriminalization and an honest offer of help for those who seek it shows better results, less crime, less health issues, less mortality, they also have certain obligations towards the people running private "correction facilities" - these are to be full all the time. Aren't? State pays a penalty feel. Disgusting!

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