Those that have died will be remembered at the Overdose Awareness Day Wednesday evening at City hall.
Attendees can pay tribute to those lost with a candlelight vigil, story sharing, visiting the garden of remembrance and participate in prize draws, free swag and snacks. Naloxone training and harm reduction supplies will also be available out of the AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area’s new outreach van.
The goal of the gathering is to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of drug-related death in this area. Organizers hope the event offers families and friends a safe space to acknowledge their grief and spread the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.
In 2018 there were 4,460 apparent opioid-related deaths in Canada. This means that one life was lost every two hours related to opioids. Many of these could have been prevented by the life-saving drug Naloxone.
In the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts in 2017 there were 64 opioid-related emergency department visits and nine deaths related to opioids. In 2018 these numbers rose to 93 opioid-related emergency department visits and 13 deaths. These numbers demonstrate an ongoing increase in opioid-related injury.
Based on reports by people who utilized Naloxone in the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts in 2018, approximately 46 per cent of individuals reporting an overdose noted that 911 was called. Overdoses are not reported due to various reasons, including fear of legal repercussions and a lack of knowledge of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act.
Even though opioids account for the majority of drug-induced deaths in Canada, it is important to note that all drugs (i.e. depressants, alcohol, stimulants, etc.) can cause an overdose, including prescription medications prescribed by a doctor.
This event is sponsored by the AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area, Nipissing First Nation, Community Drug Strategy of North Bay & Area, Community Counseling Centre of Nipissing and the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit from 6 to 8 p.m.
