August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day and the Grey Bruce Health Unit (GBHU) is highlighting gatherings across the region to raise awareness about the opioid crisis, share information to reduce drug-related harms and gather as a community to remember, without stigma, those who have been lost due to drug overdose/poisoning.

From an August 25 media release, six events in total will be held over a two day period in Neyaashiinigmiing, Owen Sound, Port Elgin and Hanover.

"These events are a chance to stimulate discussion about substance use prevention, overdose prevention, available supports and evidence-based drug policies and reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths," said Alexis Cook, GBHU Program Manager, Harm Reduction. "It’s also a time for the community to mourn, in a safe environment," Cook added.

Residents are encouraged to attend an International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) gathering and use the hashtag #OverdoseAwareness when posting messages related to IOAD on social media.

Naloxone, a life-saving medication that temporarily reverses an opioid overdose, will be available at most of the events. Kits are also available via Public Health, a number of local pharmacies and community partners.

The Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health (COMOH) has identified that the opioid epidemic was already a public health crisis before COVID-19, but the pandemic has compounded it significantly. In June 2022, COMOH confirmed this as a major priority as public health returns its focus to non-pandemic activities, and identified nine Priorities for Provincial Action on the Drug/Opioid Poisoning Crisis in Ontario[https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.alphaweb.org/resource/collection/9DD68D5D-CEFD-443B-B2B5-E76AE0CC6FCB/A22-4_Drug_Poisoning_Crisis.pdf].

“The opioid overdose crisis has touched every sector of the community. Public Health’s approach is focused on highlighting the disproportionate burden on certain populations, understanding the drivers and factors of opioid overdose deaths and applying evidence-based interventions for prevention with the greatest potential impacts to address socioeconomic determinants of health,” said GBHU Physician Consultant Dr Rim Zayed.

Conrad Ritchie of the M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre, which is holding one of the IOAD events said, "our hope with the memorial sacred fire on International Overdose Awareness Day is to recognize that with a collaboration of service providers, families, and communities, we have the ability to foster hope and healing through awareness, education and safe connections."

Gelja Sheardown, vice-chair of the Grey Bruce Community Drug and Alcohol Strategy’s Peer Advisory Committee, said IOAD is a day to reflect on her past, her struggles dealing with addiction and the time she overdosed, but was given a second chance at life. "Without that second chance, I would not have my three amazing kids. It's also a day for us to remember the ones we have lost, the ones who were not able to survive the battle of addiction. People like my husband, Barrett Warwick, who brought so much love, joy and smiles to the world. The stigma needs to end now. We need more resources and help for people with a substance use disorder and people struggling,” Sheardown said.

IOAD events in Grey Bruce:

August 30, 2022:

BBQ & A Day to Remember and Reflect
2-8pm (or sunset) at the Kina Waa Noojmojig Nanaweing Wellness Pavilion, 376 Sydney Bay Road, Neyaashiinigmiing
Organizer: Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Health and Wellness Centre and Grey Bruce Health Services

August 31, 2022:

Community BBQ
12-3pm at Safe n' Sound, 310 8th Street East, Owen Sound
Organizer: Safe 'n Sound

BBQ & Memorial Sacred Fire
3-5pm at the M'Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre, 1043 3rd Avenue West, Owen Sound
Organizer: M'Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre

Candlelit Vigil
6:30-8:30pm at the Owen Sound Farmers' Market parking lot, 88 8th Street East, Owen Sound (behind City Hall)
Organizer: Peer Advisory Committee

Candlelit Vigil
6:30-8:30pm at Coulter Parkette, 583 Green Street, Port Elgin
Organizer: Peer Advisory Committee

Speakers and Candlelit Vigil
6:30-8:30pm at the Hope Community Church, 373 18th Avenue, Hanover
Bring a blanket or a lawn chair
Organizer: Community members