TORONTO, May 10, 2016 /CNW/ - More than 360,000 Canadians are dependent on prescription opioids, while only approximately 1/3 of them are currently receiving treatment. Equally concerning is the fact that the World Health Organization now reports that Canada is now the number one consumer of prescription opioids in the world. To raise awareness for one of the nation's leading health concerns and break the stigma surrounding a disease that often goes unnoticed and untreated, ORbeOK.ca, a web resource powered by Indivior, will embark on a cross-Canada tour beginning on May 11, 2016.
Indivior is a global addiction specialty pharmaceutical company that launched Suboxone in the North American market. Suboxone is the world's first buprenorphine-based product for opioid dependence therapy and is recognized by several health authorities around the world as an effective treatment option for opioid use disorder and addiction.
Indivior seeks to reduce the stigma around prescription drug dependency with the goal of encouraging Canadians who need help to seek support and start their journey to recovery. To help reach that goal, Indivior launched ORbeOK.ca, the first and only comprehensive Canadian website dedicated to educating and helping those affected by opioid use disorder. ORbeOK is a smart and safe platform, where Canadians can seek further information for themselves or someone they know, without judgement or shame.
ORbeOK.ca will pop up in three of Canada's largest markets this year in an effort to spread awareness about this disease. Beginning at the Vancouver Public Library on May 11, 2016, ORbeOK.ca will install three larger than life prescription pill bottles with everyday people, such as working professionals, stay at home parents and university students, trapped inside to represent how this disease can and does affect everyone. The installation will appear in Toronto at Union Station on July 12, 2016 and at the Halifax Public Library on August 11, 2016.
Accompanying the tour, ORbeOK.ca spokesman Chris Cull, filmmaker and founder of Inspire by Example as well as a recovering opioid addict, will begin the ORbeOK Ride to Inspire cycle tour across the country to continue the conversation surrounding opioid use disorder. Cull will be speaking to the public about his story of recovery, the values of ORbeOK.ca and how together Canadians can help eliminate prescription and opioid drug abuse. Cull will begin his ride in Vancouver at ORbeOK.ca's public event.
To continue the conversation online, ORbeOK.ca will be launching a social media campaign and contest. To enter, participants will be asked to visit the @ORbeOK Twitter page and retweet the "Pinned" tweet for their chance to win a one-year membership to a local gym. To further support the contest, if the community tweets a photo of the pill bottle stunt using the #orbeokridetoinspire hashtag, they will receive an additional entry to the contest. Participants will be entered to win a year long membership to a high end fitness facility in their city.
ORbeOK Ride to Inspire and Cull will be making additional stops in Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Moncton and Halifax.
About ORbeOK.ca
Powered by Indivior, ORbeOK.ca is Canada's first and only website dedicated to educating Canadians on prescription opioid use disorder. ORbeOK.ca provides information on the medical condition of opioid dependence as well as resources to help the 360,000 Canadians who are affected. Most importantly, the site offers a national Doctor Locator linking Canadians with medical help near them to get started on their journey to recovery.
About Indivior Canada
Indivior is a global addiction specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians affected by prescription opioid use disorder and addiction through research, education and innovative treatment solutions. Indivior launched Suboxone in North America in 2002 as a vital treatment option to improve patient lives and provide an innovative and accessible treatment option for patients struggling with opioid use disorder.
How to support Chris Cull summer tour
To follow Chris on his tour and support ORbeOK's Ride to Inspire visit Chris' GoFundMe page at www.gofundme.com//chriscull
To learn more about Chris Cull and his journey visit ORbeOK.ca.
SOURCE Indivior Canada
Image with caption: "ORbeOK (CNW Group/Indivior Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160510_C1702_PHOTO_EN_686298.jpg
For interviews with Chris Cull or local doctors treating opioid use disorder and addiction with Suboxone please contact Faulhaber Communications: 416.504.0768 Lindsay Singer [email protected]
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