As the number of drug overdoses continues to rise in Chatham-Kent, a local health care group is hoping to raise awareness as part of an annual global initiative.
The Chatham-Kent Drug Awareness Council (CKDAC), along with its community partners, is holding two events on Wednesday as part of International Overdose Awareness Day. Both events will be held from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Hope Haven in Chatham and the James Street Drop-In Centre in Wallaceburg.
Jordynne Lindsay, a director with the CKDAC and a public health nurse, said the events are free and anyone can attend. Both event locations will feature a memorial service, guest speakers, musical performers, an art project, and Naloxone training.
Lindsay said it’s important to remind everyone that the drug poisoning epidemic affects people from all walks of life.
“CK is currently experiencing some of the highest rates of drug poisoning-related harms in Ontario,” she said. “From 2016 to 2021, the rates of opioid-related [emergency department] visits and opioid poisoning deaths have increased more than 400 per cent for Chatham-Kent.”
According to the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit, there were 21 drug-related deaths in Chatham-Kent during the first five months of this year. During the same time, there were 50 overdose-related calls to Chatham-Kent EMS and 25 overdose-related visits to a hospital emergency department.
“These are not just numbers, these are people, they’re human beings, they’re community members and their lives are important,” said Lindsay.
Lindsay said International Overdose Awareness Day provides an opportunity to remember loved ones who have been lost to an overdose and acknowledge the grief of those left behind. She said it’s also important to shed light on the causes of the drug poisoning epidemic.
“We know that the root causes of the drug poisoning epidemic — the failed drug policies, the unregulated drug supply, and the war on people who use drugs — are the real reasons that people experience harms related to drug poisoning.”
To learn more about International Overdose Awareness Day, click here.