International Overdose Awareness Day on Thursday aims to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died from overdose, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.
This 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, according to international campaign officials.
Director of the Chatham-Kent Drug Awareness Council Terry Gardiner told CK Mornings with Chris, Allanah, and Matt there are two events this year in Chatham-Kent. They are taking place at the James Street Drop-in at 719 James Street in Wallaceburg and the new ROCK Mission building at 39 Richmond Street in Chatham.
Both events will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on August 31, 2023 and will have music and food along with Naloxone training and a memorial component to remember those who died from drug overdose.
This year's campaign also recognizes first responders who deal with overdoses.
"With our theme for 2023... we honor the people whose lives have been altered by overdose. They are the family and friends grieving the loss of a loved one; workers in healthcare and support services extending strength and compassion; or spontaneous first responders who selflessly assume the role of lifesaver," said international officials. "We would like to say to these people: #weseeyou. Theirs are the voices we should amplify, and their strength and experience should be held up as examples to us all. Too often, however, they are left to bear the burden of this crisis alone and in silence."
The overdose situation in Chatham-Kent has gotten worse lately with deaths confirmed to have been caused by drug overdose rising, according to monthly statistics provided by Chatham-Kent Public Health.
The health unit is reporting 16 deaths so far in 2023 that are linked to drugs and four confirmed opioid overdose deaths in the first three months of this year.
Local public health officials also said the emergency departments (ED) in Chatham-Kent hospitals dealt with 11 opioid overdoses in June, bringing the total number of opioid overdoses to 52 until the end of June.
"The number of opioid poisoning-related EMS calls and ED visits in June were higher compared to previous months and suspect drug deaths were lower," wrote CK Public Health Epidemiologist Laura Zettler in her monthly report in July. "CK’s rate of ED visits and suspect drug deaths for 2023 to date is slightly higher than the province."
Zettler also said last year the municipality experienced double the rate of opioid overdose deaths compared to the province (33.3 versus 16.1 per 100,000), adding deaths continued to impact males aged 25 to 44 years old the most, with fentanyl directly contributing to over 90 per cent of deaths.
More information about International Overdose Awareness Day can be found here.
