News Release: International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31

NORTH BAY, ON – On August 31, 2022, community partners in the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts remember those who have lost their lives to an overdose or experienced a permanent injury related to drug use during International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD).

Overdoses are one of the world’s worst public health crises. IOAD aims to raise awareness about overdoses in our community and teach the public that an overdose is preventable through the facilitation of discussion and action, using evidence-based approaches and drug policy to help reduce overdoses. The day aims to:

• Provide an opportunity for people to publicly mourn in a safe space
• Inform communities about the issue of fatal and non-fatal overdoses
• Provide supportive messages to those with lived and living experience that they are valued.

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit’s (Health Unit) region has experienced a significant increase in opioid-related deaths over the past three years. In 2019, the Health Unit’s region reported 19 opioid-related deaths. This number grew to 50 opioid-related deaths in 2020, and 47 opioid-related deaths in 2021. In the first quarter of 2022, there have been 13 confirmed and probable opioid-related deaths in our Health Unit region.

“International Overdose Awareness Day is important as it brings light to what is often an ignored and or forgotten issue.  Celebrating this day is a powerful way to stand together to remember people who have lost their lives to overdose and support their surviving loved ones,” explains Lynn Perreault, Program Manager at West Nipissing General Hospital’s Alliance Centre.

In memory of those who have lost their lives to an overdose or experienced a permanent injury related to drug use memorial plaques will be placed in West Nipissing, off King Street, and Parry Sound,at the Mary St. Centre. A banner to recognize IOAD has been hung outside the parking garage at the Northgate Mall in North Bay.

As drug use becomes more talked about, additional awareness, public education and support services can help reduce stigma and increase awareness and access to naloxone and harm reduction services.

“Harm reduction meets people where they are at, providing supports and services that help the individual use safer and reach their goals.  A harm reduction approach empowers people by allowing them to make their own choices, through education of issues at hand in their lives, there is the potential to have dignity restored,” explains Glenn Petersen, Hepatitis C Outreach Worker at the AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area.

To learn more about the online and in person week of events – August 29 to September 2 – visit www.myhealthunit.ca/IOAD.

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The 2022 International Overdose Awareness Day events and activities are hosted and sponsored by the following agencies:

• AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area
• Canadian Mental Health Association – Muskoka-Parry Sound
• Canadian Mental Health Association – North Bay & District
• Canadian Tire North Bay
• City of North Bay
• Community Counselling Centre of Nipissing
• Community Drug Strategy of North Bay & Area
• Don’s Butcher
• IDA – Mattawa Pharmacy
• Lady of Sorrows Knights of Columbus Council 11584 Sturgeon Falls
• Mary St. Centre
• Municipality of West Nipissing
• North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre
• North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
• Nurture North MAR Clinic
• Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres (OATC)
• Parry Sound Drug Strategy
• Parry Sound Friendship Centre
• Pharmacie Aubin Pharmacy
• Pharmasave Marshall Park Pharmacy
• Stop & Shop – Precision Sharpening
• The Flower Shoppe
• West Parry Sound Health Centre
• Chez Jean-Marc Bakery
• West Nipissing Community Health Centre
• West Nipissing General Hospital – Alliance Centre

Media Inquiries

Katharine O’Connell
Community Health Promoter
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
Tel: 705-474-1400 ext. 5322
Email: harm.reduction@healthunit.ca