International Overdose Awareness Day: Time to Remember. Time to Act.

HAMILTON, ON - August 30, 2017 - Hamilton marks International Overdose Awareness Day with its third Overdose Awareness annual event at City Hall on Thursday, August 31 from 2 to 4 pm This year’s theme is Time to Remember. Time to Act.

Drug overdose is a health and social issue in Hamilton, like in many cities across the country, with devastating effects for individuals, families, and communities. The increasing role of opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl, in these deaths is of particular concern.

“International Overdose Awareness Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends, and a time to remember those who have died or been permanently injured as a result of drug overdose. It is also an opportunity for members of the public to learn about and connect with the harm reduction and treatment supports in the community.”

His Worship Mayor Fred Eisenberger

The event features representatives from over 25 local community agencies with information booths, including City of Hamilton public health staff with information and naloxone overdose prevention kits, educational opportunities, speakers, a memorial, and art created by people whose lives have been impacted by overdose and/or substance use. There will be a memorial board on which attendees can post memorial tributes (pictures, poems, articles) for loved ones they have lost to overdose.

“Overdose death affects individuals, families and friends, and the community. Together with our partners on the front lines we continue to take action and work together in an effort to prevent and respond to overdose deaths, reduce stigma of overdose deaths, raise awareness of the fact that overdose deaths, which are preventable, continue to rise in Hamilton and across the province.”

Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on August 31 each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose death, reduce the stigma of a drug-related death, and to prevent death from overdose.

Quick Facts

Opioid-related deaths are increasing annually in Hamilton, and across the province. Preliminary numbers from the Office of the Chief Coroner indicate that in the first half of 2016, 24 Hamilton residents died from opioid toxicity. 46 Hamiltonians had opioid-related deaths in 2015, which was the highest yearly number of deaths compared to the previous 10 years.

In 2016, Hamilton Public Health Services distributed a total of 462 naloxone kits, and 192 people were reported as being revived by the kits. In 2017, 901 kits have been distributed to date.

Additional Resources

Learn about the City of Hamilton’s Opioid Information System
Learn aboutCity of Hamilton’s Alcohol and Drug programs and Services
Learn more about overdose prevention and free naloxone overdose prevention kits