Canadian Mental Health Association Huron Perth will host an event Friday at Market Square recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day.
Opening remarks are set for 10:30 a.m. city hall, followed by a flag raising, moment of silence and remarks from people with lived experience.
Food will follow at Market Square at noon, and training will be provided for Naloxone kits.
While the actual Awareness Day is Sunday, organizers chose Friday for their event.
Director of Clinical Services Holly Smith said it’s a bigger day for gathering and community.
“The theme for this year’s International Overdose Awareness Day is One Big Family, which highlights the impact overdose has on not just individuals, but families and entire communities,” said Smith.
“It also highlights how we as communities can come together to heal, to prevent further loss and to support one another.”
She says the event’s goal is to spread awareness, reduce stigma, and promote education on how we as a community can support one another and show that each life in our community is valued.
She adds overdose doesn’t discriminate and it affects everybody.
“You might have an image in your mind of who you suspect might be more likely to experience overdose, and whatever that image is, it’s not the right image as it could be anybody,” said Smith.
“When overdose impacts an individual, it impacts a family. That impacts a mother, a father, a sibling, loved ones, friends.”
Smith hopes by raising awareness over this issue and the services that can help people, it can get more people connected to services, make people more open, and help embrace harm reduction.
