National Addiction Awareness Week observed November 25 to December 1
Southwest residents are encouraged to help remove the stigma associated with addiction during National Addiction Awareness Week.
Ralph Aman from Addiction Services with the Saskatchewan Health Authority attended the November 19 Swift Current City Council meeting in order to promote the national week recognized from November 25 to December 1.
Council proclaimed the week as National Addiction Awareness Week in Swift Current.
“This year the emphasis will be on addressing the stigma from all types of addiction,” Aman said during his presentation. “Here in Canada, sadly one out of every 10 people suffers from some type of addiction. And that could easily mean a colleague, a neighbour, or even someone from your own family could be suffering.”
Addictions impact people of all ages, gender, income level, and ethnic background, and often the stigma and shame associated with addiction prevents people from seeking help.
He noted that in 2014, the estimated cost of substance use in Canada was $38.4 billion. In Saskatchewan, that impact is estimated $1.3 billion annually. Alcohol makes up nearly half of Saskatchewan’s impact at $563 million, and the productivity impact in the province is $576 million per year.
“As part of this week, what we would encourage you to do is take some time to learn about addiction.”
He noted the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction website (http:// www.ccdus.ca) is an excellent resource for learning about various addictions.
“I would also encourage people to talk about addiction, in your workplace, in your home and in the community.”
“If you know someone who is in recovery from addiction, I would encourage you to speak to them about their experience and some of the challenges and the hope that they have experienced.”
He noted that the area of addiction is wide spread, including into the new area of addiction to technology.
“There is a growing amount of evidence in terms of whether its internet addiction, certainly gaming addiction especially for a lot of young people, and then also in terms of technology particularly phone devices in terms of the amount of hours being spent and the impact in the workplace and in families.”