International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is on Thursday (August 31), and there are several events taking place across the Kawarthas region.
Initiated in 2001 by Sally J. Finn at The Salvation Army in St. Kilda, an inner seaside suburb in Melbourne in Australia, IOAD has since become the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died from overdose, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.
The year’s theme, “Recognizing those people who go unseen,” is about acknowledging people in communities who are affected by overdose but might go unseen in the crisis.
IOAD events are being organized in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg, Port Hope, Haliburton, and Bancroft by organizations including regional health units, Moms Stop the Harm, Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN), Ontario Network of People Who Use Drugs, John Howard Society of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton, and Green Wood Coalition.
“My heart goes out to those who have been impacted by the loss of loved ones, and those who have responded to the drug poisoning crisis,” says Peterborough’s medical officer of Health Dr. Thomas Piggott. “Each year we have the opportunity to reflect on our support systems and services and commit to building a better community to support people who use drugs and their loved ones. On August 31st, we will grieve those that we have lost, and renew our vow to demand better drug policies that are based in healthy equity and human rights.”
“Every drug poisoning is someone’s loved one — let’s take the time to remember the ones we’ve lost, the ones left behind, and those who are doing the critical work to help prevent more drug poisoning fatalities,” says Dr. Natalie Bocking, medical officer of health for the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. “On behalf of all of us I would like to acknowledge the many lives lost and their grieving loved ones left behind. Let’s end the stigma and focus on remembering the person behind the statistic.”
In Peterborough, in advance of IOAD on Thursday, harm reduction and naloxone distribution pop-ups will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer St. N.) and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Peterborough Public Health (185 King St.). On Thursday, Moms Stop the Harm Peterborough will host a memorial event at Millennium Park (131 King St.) from 1 to 4 p.m., including stories from family members who have lost loved ones as well as information about substance use, overdose prevention, and harm reduction training.
In Lindsay, an event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday in Victoria Park (190 Kent St. W.) to remember those lost to drug poisoning and to support grieving loved ones. The event will feature live music, activities, and a butterfly release ceremony at 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Natasha James at John Howard Society of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton at 705-340-0228 or njames@jhscklh.on.ca.
In Cobourg, a flag-raising ceremony will takes place at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday at Victoria Hall (55 King St. W.), following by a memorial and awareness event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. Everyone is invited to submit the name and/or a memory of a loved one to be read at the vigil by emailing IOADNorthumberland@gmail.com.
In Port Hope, a flag-lowering ceremony will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Port Hope Police Service ( 55 Fox Rd.). Everyone is welcome to attend the ceremony and join in a moment of silence.
In Haliburton, an IOAD event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Head Lake Park (13 York St.) featuring feature guest speakers, music, refreshments, and activities. For details, contact Katlin Archibald at 705-559-3904 or katlin@parn.ca.
In Bancroft, an IOAD event takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday at North Hastings Community Trust (19 Valleyview Dr.) to raise awareness of overdose, to promote education around naloxone and safer drug use supplies, to share personal stories, and to participate in some art related activities to remember the lives of friends and family who have lost their lives to overdose.
