Families and supporters of those affected by overdose united today at Victoriaville Mall for International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), a day dedicated to raising awareness of overdose and reducing the stigma of drug-related death.

“Our community continues to be impacted by a rise in overdoses that are specifically opioid-related,” said Cynthia Olsen, Drug Strategy Coordinator.  “We know that there were 44 opioid overdose deaths in 2018, which is a 40 per cent increase from the year before, most of which could have been prevented with naloxone.”

In addition to naloxone, there are treatment options available in the community including services in withdrawal management, a supervised consumption site and the rapid access to addiction medicine clinic, all of which are in need of expansion. 

“While we have intervention services and long-term prevention initiatives in place, we need greater resources to do more as our community continues to struggle with the opioid crisis,” said Olsen.

Part of IOAD is to acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends of those who have died or suffered permanent injury, as well as to help reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths.

“Drugs don’t discriminate, anyone can fall victim to addiction, so we are here today to also help break the stigma and build greater understanding of this issue,” said Olsen.

Forty-four placards were strung in the Village Green at Victoriaville Mall; representing the number of people who died in Thunder Bay district due to opioids in 2018, the highest rate of opioid overdose deaths in the province.

Opioid overdoses can be reversed with the administration of naloxone, which only works with opioids and has no effect on the body if opioids are not present. Opioids include a broad range of medicines related to morphine and are frequently prescribed to relieve pain.

For more information about naloxone, contact Superior Points at 625-5900 or a local pharmacy.

Given IOAD falls on a Saturday this year, the event was held today, Tuesday, Aug. 27, allowing for greater participation. For the remainder of the week, City Hall will have purple fountain lights on in the evenings in observance of IOAD. 

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 Contact: Cynthia Olsen, Coordinator – Thunder Bay Drug Strategy, 625-2942