Raising awareness to stop overdoses

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Extract from the article: The overdose epidemic is a public health issue of growing concern worldwide. In Togo, public health authorities report hundreds of drug overdoses every year. These are situations that can lead to the death of the person affected, and involve overdose

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The overdose epidemic is a public health issue of growing concern worldwide. In Togo, public health authorities report hundreds of drug overdoses every year. These are situations that can lead to the death of the person affected, and involve overdoses of medicines, drugs or alcohol. It is crucial that the authorities adopt bold and effective strategies to tackle this problem in a holistic and sustainable way.

Overdose is defined as the consumption of one or more drugs in excess of the dose that the body can assimilate without harmful effects on health. Overdose can involve a variety of substances, including illicit drugs, alcohol and certain medicines such as antidepressants and opioids.

The clinical signs and health effects vary depending on the drug taken, the person's state of health and the extent of the overdose. Drug use and drug overdose can have serious consequences for health, with major repercussions for the functioning of vital organs. In some cases, overdose can lead to death. An overdose is a medical emergency, requiring immediate attention and a call to the emergency services.

Current situation

According to the latest figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the number of deaths linked to overdoses has reached unprecedented levels, exacerbated by the opioid crisis and the abuse of psychoactive substances. In addition, the various health, economic and social crises have contributed to a significant increase in risky behaviour and access to dangerous substances. In West Africa, Togo is not exempt from this crisis. Drug use is on the rise, exacerbated by socio-economic difficulties and limited access to prevention and treatment services. As a result, public health in these countries is facing major challenges, requiring urgent and structured interventions to reduce the number of drug-related deaths and collateral damage.

Raising awareness to stop overdoses

International Overdose Prevention Day, celebrated each year on 31 August, is a global initiative to raise awareness of the dangers of overdose while honouring the memory of the victims. This year, the theme ‘Together we can’ highlights the power of communities coming together to prevent overdose deaths by raising awareness of the risks associated with substance use, reducing stigma and ensuring that people can access the health and social services they need. The overdose epidemic is a public health issue of growing concern worldwide. In Togo, public health authorities report hundreds of drug overdoses every year. These are situations that can lead to the death of the person affected, and involve overdoses of medicines, drugs or alcohol. It is crucial that the authorities adopt bold and effective strategies to tackle this problem in a holistic and sustainable way.

Overdose is defined as the consumption of one or more drugs in excess of the dose that the body can assimilate without harmful effects on health. Overdose can involve a variety of substances, including illicit drugs, alcohol and certain medicines such as antidepressants and opioids.

The clinical signs and health effects vary depending on the drug taken, the person's state of health and the extent of the overdose. Drug use and drug overdose can have serious consequences for health, with major repercussions for the functioning of vital organs. In some cases, overdose can lead to death. An overdose is a medical emergency, requiring immediate attention and a call to the emergency services.

Current situation

According to the latest figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the number of deaths linked to overdoses has reached unprecedented levels, exacerbated by the opioid crisis and the abuse of psychoactive substances. In addition, the various health, economic and social crises have contributed to a significant increase in risky behaviour and access to dangerous substances. In West Africa, Togo is not exempt from this crisis. Drug use is on the rise, exacerbated by socio-economic difficulties and limited access to prevention and treatment services. As a result, public health in these countries is facing major challenges, requiring urgent and structured interventions to reduce the number of drug-related deaths and collateral damage.

Which drug is the most overdosed?

One of the best-known examples of drug overdose is paracetamol overdose.Paracetamol is the most widely sold active substance in Togo, and its consumption is increasing year on year. More than 200 medicines containing paracetamol, alone or in combination with other substances, are currently available with or without a doctor's prescription to treat pain, fever or cold symptoms.  Paracetamol is a safe and effective medicine under normal conditions of use.However, if it is misused, in particular by overdosing with several products containing paracetamol or by failing to follow the correct dosage, paracetamol can cause serious liver damage, in some cases irreversible.

According to Dr Yao Adjévi Awoussi, a doctor specialising in mental health, speaking to Télévision togolaise (TVT), «an overdose victim can suffer apathetic, respiratory and cardiac failure, as well as celebral lesions. It is important to raise awareness among young people about taking substances and medicines in excess without a prescription. And remind parents to avoid putting medicines within the reach of children.Whether you are a healthcare professional, a political decision-maker or an ordinary citizen, your action counts.It's about raising awareness, informing and supporting those who need it».

The public health authorities need to step up their prevention messages, and also restrict the rules for prescribing and dispensing these drugs.It is essential to adopt a comprehensive approach to combating drug overdose in Togo, combining education, improving health services and raising public awareness. It is crucial to have a better understanding of the problem in order to reduce the number of overdoses.

What is the most common drug overdose?

One of the best-known examples of drug overdose is paracetamol overdose.Paracetamol is the most widely sold active substance in Togo, and its use is increasing year on year. More than 200 medicines containing paracetamol, alone or in combination with other substances, are currently available with or without a doctor's prescription to treat pain, fever or cold symptoms.  Paracetamol is a safe and effective medicine under normal conditions of use.However, if it is misused, in particular by overdosing with several products containing paracetamol or by failing to follow the correct dosage, paracetamol can cause serious liver damage, in some cases irreversible.

According to Dr Yao Adjévi Awoussi, a doctor specialising in mental health, speaking to Télévision togolaise (TVT), ‘an overdose victim can suffer apathetic, respiratory and cardiac failure, as well as celebral lesions. It is important to raise awareness among young people about taking substances and medicines in excess without a prescription.And remind parents to avoid putting medicines within the reach of children.Whether you are a healthcare professional, a political decision-maker or an ordinary citizen, your action counts. It's about raising awareness, informing and supporting those who need it’.The public health authorities need to step up their prevention messages, and also restrict the rules for prescribing and dispensing these drugs. It is essential to adopt a comprehensive approach to combating drug overdose in Togo, combining education, improving health services and raising public awareness. A better understanding of the problem is crucial to reducing the risks and saving lives. 

International Overdose Prevention Day, celebrated each year on 31 August, is a global initiative to raise awareness of the dangers of overdose while honouring the memory of the victims. This year, the theme «Together we can» highlights the power of communities coming together to prevent overdose deaths by raising awareness of the risks associated with substance use, reducing stigma and ensuring that people can access the health and social services they need.

William O.