Overdose peer educator Jane Dicka says three-hour Harm Reduction Victoria workshops have been designed to educate users how to respond in an emergency rather than get them off drugs.

Speaking after Overdose Awareness Day last Tuesday, Ms Dicka said the program was developed in response to concerns that many users did not contact authorities when such events occurred.

She said the workshops had attracted a strong response from Brimbank users who were attending the Footscray-based sessions.

She said they were a vital tool for communicating with drug users.

"What people don't understand is that users get their information from other users; that's why it's important to have a peer education program."

Ms Dicka said the program did not condone drug use but sought to reduce harm.

"My biggest emphasis is to call an ambulance. I promote to users that it's in their best interest to help keep someone who overdoses alive," she said.

"It's very important they put something in place so that they don't see someone die.

It's more a case that if they take one message they will be able to pass that to their friends - then we've achieved something."

She said the program, part of a statewide strategy, aimed to reach 250 users a year and would also be taken into prisons.

According to coroners' figures, 1606 Australians died from over-consumption of either drugs or alcohol, or a combination of both, in 2007. Harm Reduction Victoria has joined harm prevention association Anex and the Salvation Army in urging the community to be aware of the ramifications of drug overdoses and to provide a chance to remember those who have lost their lives to drugs.

Anex chief executive John Ryan said it supported efforts to raise awareness and provide education in preventing the harm of drug use. And he asked people to be mindful of the prevalence of the problem.

"There are strong views about illicit drug use and at the same time there are many in the community who have been personally impacted by overdose in some way," Mr Ryan said.

Salvation Army worker Sally Finn highlighted the importance of removing hurdles on the path to minimising incidents.

Harm Reduction Victoria: 9329 1500