Community Educates on Overdose Awareness Ahead of International Day

In preparation for International Overdose Awareness Day on August 27, 2023, Greater Sudbury has witnessed a series of community events aimed at increasing awareness and education about overdose recognition and response. One of the events, held on Friday at the Reseau Access Network, featured an open house designed to inform the public about the non-profit’s services and to challenge misconceptions surrounding harm reduction strategies.

The Reseau Access Network operates a harm-reduction window, providing essential supplies to promote safer drug use. During the open house, officials emphasized that distributing safe supplies does not encourage substance use, but rather aims to minimize risks associated with it. Kaela Pelland, the manager of engagement at the Reseau Access Network, articulated the importance of harm reduction, stating, “Harm reduction really is exactly that — it’s about reducing harm. So that is anything from wearing your seatbelt when you are in the car to using a new and sterile syringe.”

Calls for Increased Support in Addressing the Opioid Crisis

Community leaders are advocating for greater support in tackling the ongoing opioid crisis. France Gelinas, the Nickel Belt Member of Provincial Parliament and the New Democratic Party’s health critic, expressed her concerns about the provincial government’s response to what she described as a “pandemic.” Gelinas stated, “The opioid overdose crisis is an epidemic that should be looked after by the provincial government and isn’t. But I have faith in my community that together we will help each other.”

The open house also included a demonstration aimed at teaching attendees how to recognize and respond to overdoses. The session highlighted the safety of using Naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug, and educated participants on its proper usage. Pelland noted, “We want to educate people just on the fact that Naloxone is temperature sensitive, that Naloxone is safe for people to use and even if someone were to use it and it wasn’t an opioid overdose, it wouldn’t cause harm.”

International Overdose Awareness Day serves not only to remember those lost to drug overdoses but also to support families and friends impacted by such tragedies. Organizers aim to foster understanding and reduce the stigma surrounding drug-related deaths, encouraging community dialogue and collaboration.

As the events leading up to this significant day unfold, the focus remains on empowering individuals with knowledge and resources to combat the overdose crisis effectively. Through community engagement and education, Greater Sudbury is taking proactive steps to address an urgent issue affecting many families and individuals.