August 31, 2022 – For International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), local organizations and community members will be gathering at Paterson Park from 11am to 2pm to share information on available supports, provide overdose awareness training and free naloxone, and to pay tribute to those who have died or suffered permanent injury from an overdose. A candlelight vigil will be held in the evening. It is a day for people to mourn loved ones in a safe environment, show support, acknowledge that every person’s life is valuable, and work to reduce the stigma of substance use.
Overdose is recognized as a worldwide public health crisis, and our own community has been significantly impacted. Opioid-related death rates in the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) area were over three times higher than the provincial average in 2022; with 51.0 per 100,000 in TBDHU compared to 16.1 per 100,000 in Ontario1. The City of Thunder Bay had the highest rate of opioid-related deaths in Ontario in 20222.
The toxic drug supply is a significant contributing factor to the high rates of overdose and substance-related deaths experienced in our community. NorWest Community Health Centres, Thunder Bay site offers drug-checking services that allow people to know what is in the substances they are using. Since October 2022, 84% of samples tested had unanticipated results; meaning that unexpected substances were present and/or expected substances were absent.
International Overdose Awareness Day acknowledges the profound grief felt by families and friends whose loved ones have died or suffered permanent injury from an overdose. The campaign recognizes it is a time to remember and a time to act.
How you can take action today to prevent overdose deaths:
- Advocate for evidence-based drug policy and overdose prevention strategies, such as safer supply, and write to an elected official. You can learn more about safer supply at https://norwestchc.org/programs-services/safe-supply/.
- Work to decrease the stigma that surrounds substance use. Learn more at https://www.tbdhu.com/stopstigma.
- Get overdose prevention training and a free lifesaving naloxone kit. Visit https://www.tbdhu.com/health-topics/alcohol-cannabis-opioids/opioids/preventing-opioid-overdose-naloxone for more information.
- Become familiar with local data. Sign up for Opioid Alerts at www.tbdhu.com/opioidinfo and share widely.
- Download the Connect by Lifeguard Digital Health App. Available on Apple and Android devices.
- Promote and use NorWest Community Health Centres free, safe and confidential drug checking service during their extended hours Thursday’s from 6pm to 8pm.
- Report bad reactions to street drugs here: www.tbdhu.com/contact/bad_reaction_to_street_drug_
- Access or promote PATH525. Learn more at https://norwestchc.org/programs-services/path-525/
- Have open conversations with friends and/or family about substance use and create an overdose prevention plan.
- Learn about the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy and sign up for their newsletter to keep informed of the latest highlights and happenings in the prevention of substance-related harms in our city and region. Learn more at www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall/thunder-bay-drug-strategy.aspx.
International Overdose Awareness Day is a call to action to reduce stigma, discuss and implement evidence-based drug policy and overdose prevention strategies. Will you answer the call?
Data Sources
1Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). (2023). Quarterly Public Health Unit Opioid Mortality Reports: May 2017 to March 2023 [unpublished data table]. Toronto, ON: King’s Printer for Ontario.
2Ontario Office of the Chief Coroner. (2023). Opioid Toxicity Deaths in Ontario. [Received June 5, 2023; extracted May 4, 2023].
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For more information:
Health Unit Media news@tbdhu.com
NorWest Community Health Centres: info@norwestchc.org or (807) 622-8235
DEK Foundation: dekaftercare@gmail.com
More information on International Overdose Awareness Day can be found at www.overdoseday.com.