International Overdose Awareness Day Memorial Event Commemorates Addicts; Bring Awareness and Reduce Stigma Of Addiction

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An International Overdose Awareness Day memorial service honouring those lost to drug overdose was held by Moms Stop The Harm Peterborough at the Silver Bean Café on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

During the event, stories of how speakers’ loved ones were lost or affected by drug addiction, claiming that there should not be a stigma for it.

Between January 1 and July 31, 2022, Peterborough paramedics responded to 234 suspected opioid-related 911 calls and drugs were responsible for 343 emergency department visits according to Peterborough Public Health (PPH).

“The drug poisoning crisis is taking a significant and unacceptable toll on Peterborough’s region and community members,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, PPH medical officer of health. Drug poisonings are a public health issue. We know we need to do more to prevent further harms and deaths.”

This year, 31 people are suspected to have died as a result of drug poisonings with five of these deaths happening over a 10-day period this month according to the same report.

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International Overdose Awareness Day Memorial Event Held At The Silver Bean

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A memorial service to honour those lost to drug overdose was held at the Silver Bean Cafe on Tuesday.

White crosses set up at the event to honour those lost to overdose.

White crosses set up at the event to honour those lost to overdose.

The event was hosted by Gail Perry, a member of Moms Stop The Harm, an organization of people impacted by substance use related harm or death.

Perry lost her daughter Jody Smith to complications related to opioid use three years ago.

“I’m not ashamed of how my daughter lost her life,” Parry said. “I’m ashamed of how people pick and choose which life has value.”

Parry says her daughter was mistreated during hospital visits because of her opioid use, which ultimately lead to her death.

“Stigma is deadly,” she said. “It is a killer. It creates dangerous and narrow minded attitudes towards those who need help and understanding. It shames and keeps people silent, alone and in hiding. Stigma interferes with getting the right kind of support and medical attention.”

Tuesdays event hosted members from local harm reduction offices like PARN, The Elizabeth Fry Society and Fourcast.

The Elizabeth Fry Society provided on-site Narcan kits and training.

“Narcan is a way to help preventable deaths,” said Abby from The Elizabeth Fry Society. “It’s a way to practice empathy, it’s a way to help support people that are struggling in our community that are being stigmatized and demonized by societal expectations that we’ve been fed our entire lives.”

A Narcan kit includes two doses of Naloxone, a nasal spray that is used to reverse overdoses in an emergency situation.

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BREAKING: There Have Been 3 Deaths To Suspected Illicit Drug Related Accidental Overdoses In Past 48 Hours

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The Peterborough released put out a special media release Saturday (April 7th) notifying the public that over the past 48 hours, there have been three unrelated deaths from suspected illicit drug related accidental overdoses. 
 
The Peterborough Police Service would like to remind the public of the risks of using drugs, particularly opioids. City and area residents need to be warned about the potential dangers when using illicit substances, especially when it is unknown what may be mixed with them or their potential strength. 

It has been reported across Canada that Fentanyl has been mixed with many illicit drugs. Fentanyl is a synthetic, short-acting analgesic and sedative.
 
If an individual is going to use a drug, police say in the release, it is suggested that they consider doing so in the presence of another person for safety and that there is Naloxone present. 

Naloxone is an opioid antidote that can reverse an overdose. Naloxone, once administered, can last for approximately 20 minutes to one hour depending on the strength of the opioid. This allows an individual that may have overdosed to be treated medically.

Naloxone is available free of charge from numerous pharmacies, The Health Unit at 185 King Street and from PARN at 159 King Street.
 
If you suspect someone has overdosed on drugs, it is of utmost importance that you call 911 immediately for medical assistance.
 
For more information relating to opiates and Naloxone, visit peterboroughdrugstrategy.com.

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