ONE Wimmera family is pleading for residents to recognise the hidden toll of prescription drug abuse on International Overdose Awareness Day, Wednesday.
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In 2010, Nhill couple Margaret and John Millington’s son Simon died from an oxycontin overdose.
“Six years ago we lost Simon,” Mrs Millington said.
“It never gets easier. On the day we’ll be reflecting on what we lost to drugs.
“It’s a sad, confronting day shared by so many.
“It’s also a time to acknowledge those still suffering from the disease of addiction and raise awareness and reduce the stigma of drug related death.”
The Millingtons believe there needs to be more awareness around prescription addiction and overdose.
“A lot of people are oblivious,” Margaret said.
“The fact is prescription drugs can cause death if abused or misused.
“Whenever we talk at any forums there’s always people who come up after or put their hands up and say, my mum, my sister or my brother has been affected.
“Close to four people die every day from an overdose and over 80 per cent are linked to prescription medicine.”
Mrs Millington said Simon was an ‘accidental addict’ who became reliant on oxycotin after a life-threatening car crash in 1994.
Since 2010, the Millingtons have been fierce advocates for state and federal changes to the way pharmaceuticals are prescribed and dispensed.
The couple believe federal real-time monitoring of prescriptions is necessary to ensure people are not doctor shopping over state borders.
Mrs Millington said their work embodies Simon’s determination and helpfulness.
“At the end of the day he didn’t mean to die,” Mrs Millington said.
“He died taking a legal drug.
“Simon was the kind of person always trying to help others.
“For us to try and prevent others enduring what we have – the loss of a loved one – we’re carrying on like he would, helping people.
“If we get real time monitoring over the line in every state, then Simon’s death was not in vain.”
Mr Millington said International Overdose Awareness Day was important for people to remember the wide and ongoing ramifications of addiction, whether of illicit or prescription substances.
“The consequences of an addiction to drugs flows onto a person’s loved ones – they need just as much help as addicts do,” he said.
“I think as society we can do better in the way we see drug-related people, across the board, whether legal or illicit.”