'More overdoses than ever before,' according to recent stat

An organization committed to helping people overcome addictions is sharing some common misconceptions about overdoses. 

August is International Overdose Awareness Month. 

"It's becoming frightening how common [overdosing] is. We've had to rewrite all of our policies and measures when it comes to overdose," says Daniel Emond, the Chief Executive Officer of Adult and Teen Challenge of Central Canada. 

In the U.S.A the CDC just released a report saying that in 2020, there were over 90,000 deaths from overdose. 

"One common misconception with overdose is some people might think that people are deliberately trying to overdose, taking as much drugs as they can. That's a reality for only a handful. A lot of people don't take their addiction seriously and they don't think it's that bad or that it will end in death."

One of the staff at Adult and Teen Challenge has her own overdose story to tell. 

"Many years ago, one of our directors, her and her boyfriend were addicted to heroin. One night her younger brother came over, he had never tried it. She offered him some drugs and after shooting up he instantly starting convulsing from an overdose and died right in front of her."

Emond says it's a scary truth and as a population, we are seeing more overdoses than ever before. The Christian organization has helped many people overcome those addictions with a Biblical based-program. 

"At ATC we say that Jesus is the program. He is the answer. There is hope. We see many families transformed and saved from overdose through the power of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ," Emond says.

Families who have a loved one that may be struggling with addiction can also find resources through ATC.

"There's something that you can do as a family member to contribute to someone getting help. The biggest one is prayer and don't give up praying. My mother, uncle and family prayed for three years consistently before anything happened in my life," Emond says, as he struggled with addictions before he came to ATC.

There are resources available to educate family members. 

"We have a program called Concerned Persons Program that helps equip parents and loved ones on how to deal with their loved one who is struggling. Not only that but gives them support and encouragement from other loved ones that are struggling. We've seen miracles happen when people come together and pray and support each other, to display tough and real love to the loved one struggling with addictions."