Overlooked, under-analysed: Overdose reversals saving hundreds in B.C.’s opioid crisis

published on June 10, 2021 by Arrthy Thayaparan in CityNews (News 1130)

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Gilliana Soto has lost so many loved ones to the opioid crisis. She almost lost herself, too. Her first and last overdose was enough to make her realize she needed to change.

“It was like a light switch. It was like, I was losing my kids … I’m still trying to repair the damage that I did. I was lucky enough to get out of it,” she said.

Month after month, the public is informed of the latest number of overdose deaths in B.C. But the number of overdose reversals, or the people saved and still affected by the opioid crisis, is not widely shared.

As a recovering drug user and program manager for Atira’s overdose prevention sites, SisterSquare and SisterSpace, Soto uses her experiences to support other women going through similar struggles…