An event at Kam River Park to educate and eliminate the stigma around drug-related deaths and overdoses.
Representatives from Thunder Bay Drug Strategy, Thunder Bay District Health Unit, NorWest Community Health Centres and more took part, sharing their knowledge and expertise.
Thunder Bay Drug Strategy Coordinator Cynthia Olsen explains more about the event.
“We’ve been organizing this every year since 2015, and really it’s about standing up and bringing community out, and acknowledging the grief felt by families and the community as a result of overdose deaths.”
Northwestern Ontario has seen increases in the number of overdoses, especially over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Olsen mentions it is more important than ever to educate and spread awareness.
“It seems that every year, unfortunately numbers are going up,” explains Olsen. “It’s not just here, it’s right across Canada. Certainly the pandemic has seemed to exacerbate the situation and we are seeing rising numbers. We’re really trying to promote the services and supports in the community.”
A strong focus of the event was eliminating the stigma around drug-use and overdoses.
(STAFF PHOTO)
Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu attended, sharing her thoughts on the subject.
“It’s super important to recognize that overdose deaths threaten everyone who uses substances,” says Hajdu. “There’s a stereotype about who might die from an overdose, but I can tell you that I’ve met with hundreds, maybe even thousands of individuals across the country who have lost a loved one to opioid overdose. Their losses span really all socioeconomic barriers, and there’s a huge rise in overdose deaths in young men who are fully employed. A lot of the stereotypes we have in terms of who uses drugs, and who is at risk are actually completely false, it can affect every family.”
Hajdu also recognized the increase in overdoses, and stressed the importance of events that bring the issue to the forefront.
“They allow the space for us to have more honest conversations about drug use in our communities, in our families, and how we best protect the people we love.”
Superior North EMS was involved as well, two paramedics teaching hand-only CPR and answering any questions the public had.
Primary Care Paramedic Keith Facca was there and says events like this can really benefit the community.
“It’s important to provide a little bit of awareness, understanding, and education for people because the crisis is so bad and upcoming, specifically in the city of Thunder Bay and surrounding areas,” says Facca. “It’s important for people to know what to do and when to do it at the right times before activating 911 and EMS, because some of the things they do prior to our arrival could save lives in the future.”
Facca goes on to say during an overdose, time is a massive factor determining the outcome for the patient.
International Overdose Awareness day is an annual event, held on Aug. 31.
WATCH: Primary Care Paramedic Keith Facca explains hands-only CPR
