#RecognizingThosePeopleWhoGoUnseen on International Overdose Awareness Day 2023
Written by Comms Team, August 24, 2023
Local partners call for more action to change course on the drug poisoning crisis
Today, Peterborough Drug Strategy partners called for more action to address the opioid crisis.
Between January 1 and July 31, 2023, Peterborough paramedics responded to 182 suspected opioid-related 911 calls, and drugs were responsible for 232 emergency department visits. Sadly, already this year 43 people are suspected to have died as a result of drug poisonings.
The opioid crisis is an urgent issue, that is seen beyond the County and City of Peterborough. It is a nationwide crisis, a continent-wide crisis. It is complex, and more than one program or solution is needed to help prevent further harms. Sufficient resources need to be made available to implement robust prevention, harm reduction, and treatment in the continuum of care. While the community of Peterborough and the Peterborough Drug Strategy partners are making a positive impact through collaboration and action, all levels of government have a critical and urgent role to play in ending the drug poisoning crisis.
This call to action comes the week of International Overdose Awareness Day. Held annually on August 31, this day honours the lives lost to drug use, 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, and recognizes the importance of eliminating the stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs. In Peterborough, this event has held increased significance in recent years due to the devastating impact of overdose on individuals, families, and the community as a whole.
On August 31, Moms Stop the Harm Peterborough will host a memorial event at Millennium Park from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event will feature stories from family members who have lost loved ones, as well as information about substance use, overdose prevention, and harm reduction training.?In the lead-up to August 31, community partners will be hosting flag raisings, and harm reduction and naloxone distribution pop-ups throughout the City of Peterborough. These pop-ups can be found at the following locations:
Flag Raising – Peterborough City Hall
Thursday, August 24, 2023 @ 10:00 a.m.
Peterborough Public Library
Friday, August 25, 2023 @ 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 29, 2023 @ 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Peterborough Square
Monday, August 28, 2023 @ 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Peterborough Public Health, 185 King Street
Wednesday, August 30 @ 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
For more information about the data cited in this news release, please visit here.
Quotes:
“International Overdose Awareness Day is a day of reflection and remembrance. Each year we have the opportunity to honour those who have lost their lives to the drug-poisoning crisis. My heart goes out to those who have been impacted by the loss of loved ones, and those who have responded to the drug poisoning crisis. Each year we have the opportunity to reflect on our support systems and services and commit to building a better community to support people who use drugs and their loved ones. On August 31st, we will grieve those that we have lost, and renew our vow to demand better drug policies that are based in health equity and human rights.” – Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health, Peterborough Public Health.
“The ongoing drug poisoning crisis has ripped a hole through our community. Despite the impassioned, compassionate, and pragmatic response by those who love, support, and serve people who use drugs, these efforts have clearly demonstrated that they are not enough. The drug supply is toxic, unregulated, and unpredictable.? Social perception and criminalization of those who use drugs only further contributes to the lives lost every day. Overwhelming evidence supports the value of harm reduction, which includes access to safe spaces, decriminalization, and regulation of the drug supply. On this day, we demand an end to preventable death by updating outdated drug policies. We cannot afford to stand silently by.? The time to act is now. ?We remember those we have lost with heavy hearts, and we join together to shout for change.” – Carolyn King, Safer Supply Program Manager, Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic
“FourCAST has been operating the CTS site for 14 months, our experience in those months gives us a unique perspective on the struggles of opiate addiction in our community. The need for more supports and strategies is apparent. Our staff see tragedy on a daily basis and understand that meaningful solutions must be comprehensive and compassionate.?For many people, International Overdose Awareness Day can be difficult. Please know you are not alone. Today, we mourn together.” – Donna Rogers, Executive Director, FourCAST.
“We continue to see and hear from those directly impacted by drug poisoning and the mounting health and social harms due to this crisis in our community. The truth is that we are failing to meet the needs of the community in addressing this crisis and the factors that have helped us arrive here; lack of available affordable housing, inequitable access to mental health supports, and pervasive stigma that continue to put the lives of our community at risk. This is a complex issue that requires a spectrum of care opportunities and approaches to be properly addressed. It is so important that while addressing these harms those with lived and living experience are included in the conversation, at the table, and in executing any action plans. We need to work smarter and more collaboratively across all levels of government to ensure success. Change starts with you and me. We all have a role to play in ending this crisis in and for our community, and our community includes people who use drugs.” – Aizha Pollock, Manager of Harm Reduction Services, Peterborough AIDS Resource Network.
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For further information, please contact:
Media Relations
Media@peterboroughpublichealth.ca