Overdose doesn’t discriminate.
That was the message given to the crowd gathered at Ledger Square on Wednesday evening for International Overdose Awareness Day, an event aimed at remembering those injured or lost to drug overdose, and celebrating the resources North Bay has to help members of the community that continue to battle with both substance misuse and the stigma attached to it.
“People forget often that there are humans behind the statistics, that ultimately it’s someone’s child, friend or partner. It’s time for us to take action and work on prevention and awareness. We’re losing people of value and people need to know that they matter,” Brooke Bertrand told BayToday. Bertrand is an Addictions Therapist at Community Counselling Centre of Nipissing as well as a member of the Overdose Awareness Day Committee which is part of the harm reduction pillar of the North Bay Drug Strategy.
There was as much laughter as there were tears shed as members of the community touched by drug misuse gathered to share memories of those lost and give messages of encouragement and survival during a candlelight vigil that wrapped up the event.
One such member was Meagan Dagg; a local woman who, through the treatment supports she received in North Bay, is triumphing over misuse of opioids and cocaine.
Dagg credits treatment programs in North Bay as playing an integral role in her recovery to a life that allows her the chance to achieve milestones like getting married, or simply the joys of driving a car and paddling a canoe; activities those who have been lost to overdose will not get to experience. Dagg has moved from service user to service provider and stresses the importance of educating the public on overdose reduction.
“Unfortunately I know numerous people who have lost their lives to overdose, so it’s very important to have events like this here today,” she stated.
Also showcased at the event was one of the Aids Committee of North Bay’s newest tools in education and prevention, the M.A.S.H₃ (pronounced M.A.S.H Cubed) Van. It's an outreach vehicle that is able to travel through North Bay and surrounding areas to give those communities the opportunity to be educated on overdose prevention and harm reduction as well as offer individuals who may be living with drug misuse a safe space for needle exchange.
The M.A.S.H van is also equipped to test for Hepatitis C, with HIV point of care testing to be added. “It has the potential to help save lives and connect people to care. With the growing concerns in the community of overdoses this vehicle is definitely an avenue we can use to help support people.” Hepatitis C Community Coordinator Caitlin Dobratz told BayToday.
Councillor Dave Mendicino read a proclamation to the gathering during the opening of the event where he outlined that last week alone there were 13 overdoses and one death in Parry Sound and Nipissing Districts.
Thanks to the education and information passed on last night from service providers, it is clear that the community as a whole is empowered in working together to end overdose-related deaths and stigma that keeps those who live with drug misuse from seeking help.
