Recognizing those who go unseen: International Overdose Awareness Day
August 21, 2023 – For immediate release
Communities in Timiskaming are coming together to remember those who have died or suffered due
to drug poisoning (overdose). Observed on the 31st of August every year, International Overdose
Awareness Day (IOAD) is a day of remembrance for the people whose lives have been altered by
overdose, and the unseen heroes who saved lives by caring and responding.
Timiskaming Drug and Alcohol Strategy (TDAS) and local partners take this chance to promote
understanding of drug poisoning in our community. We seek to reduce the stigma of drug-related
deaths and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use.
This year on the Overdose Awareness Day, the Timiskaming Drug and Alcohol Strategy is putting a
spotlight on three collaborative events.
• Memorial Service at the Timiskaming Memorial Site by the Toburn Mine Property in Kirkland
Lake. August 31 at 3 p.m. Change for Timiskaming is inviting you to take part in this year’s
memorial service. The event will have a short service, a free outdoor barbeque, live music,
and naloxone kits available for distribution. Harm reduction information and resources will
also be on site. This is a memorial held to provide prevention strategies for further deaths
relating to poisonings and to honour the families and loved ones of the entire district who
suffered the loss of loved ones. All communities across the district are welcome to take part.
This event is brought to you by Pavilion Women’s Centre, Salvation Army, Northeastern
Recovery Centre, No More KL, Addiction Recovery Support Group Northern Ontario,
Timiskaming Health Unit, Timiskaming Drug and Alcohol Strategy, and CMHA-CT.
• Memorial Tree and Community Art Project at the south end of the boardwalk by the volleyball
courts in New Liskeard on August 31 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. The art project led by Pavilion
Women’s Centre allows individuals and service providers an opportunity to remember loved
ones. Information and resources, naloxone kits and training will be available on-site. The
Pavilion is hosting this event, joined by Timiskaming Health Unit, Timiskaming Drug and Alcohol
Strategy (TDAS), The Salvation Army, CMHA-CT, District of Timiskaming Social Services
Administration Board, Timiskaming Emergency Medical Services, and Mino M’shki-ki Indigenous
Health Team.
• Sacred Fire at Mino M’shki-ki Kirkland Lake location: 109 Burnside Drive. August 31 from 1
p.m. – 4 p.m. A Sacred fire will be lit for community members in honour of the Overdose
Awareness Day, to raise awareness of drug poisoning and to remember the people we have
lost. Harm reduction supplies, refreshments, snacks, and cultural and western support will be
available. This event is brought to the community by Mino M’shki-ki Indigenous Health Team and
Keepers of the Circle.
Erin Cowan, Co-Chair of the Timiskaming Drug and Alcohol Strategy shared that “As we mark
International Overdose Awareness Day in 2023, we honour the people whose lives have been
deeply impacted by overdose: communities, families, friends, healthcare workers, support services,
and first responders.”
Drug poisonings claimed the lives of thousands of Ontarians in 2022, with a significantly higher
overdose mortality rate seen in the north*. The first six months of 2023 alone saw 6 suspected drugrelated deaths in the Timiskaming Health Unit area+. The need for change and action is becoming
ever-more critical.
“We encourage everyone to join us in raising awareness of drug overdose and stigma,” says Brian
Pascoe, who has lived experiences with substance use and is a member of TDAS. “Start a
conversation about overdose, share what you know, put on something purple on August 31, and
head to a local IOAD event. The threat is real; we must put an end to the stigma surrounding drug
use and addiction. We can make a difference and save lives, but this requires our joint effort.”
If you would like more information on the local events, please visit www.tdas.ca, or visit Timiskaming
Drug and Alcohol Strategy Facebook page. TDAS is a multi-sectoral initiative with members representing mental health and addictions treatment services, Indigenous services, community members including those with lived experience, social services, family health teams, hospitals, school boards, police, and public health. Our collective efforts aim to prevent and reduce the harms associated with substance use and improve the quality of life of all Timiskaming residents.
For more information please visit:
https://www.tdas.ca/
*Represents the number of suspect drug-related deaths as determined from the investigating coroner’s
preliminary notes and/or the preliminary findings from the autopsy.
+Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario. Monthly suspected drug-related deaths summary Table, Ontario. Data was released July 2023.
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Media Contact:
Shujian Liu,
Coordinator, Timiskaming Drug and Alcohol Strategy
705-647-4305, Ext. 2228
Email: lius@timiskaminghu.com
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