It was an emotional evening as people gathered in front of Victoria Hall on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 in honour of International Overdose Awareness Day.
The candlelight vigil started at 8 pm. with a number of people including family and friends of people who have died from an overdose.
International Overdose Awareness day is a day marked internationally to raise awareness about overdoses has added local significance this year.
In recent weeks, both Cobourg and Haliburton County have seen a rise in overdose incidents. Between April 2020 and March 2021, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit has noted almost double the number of opioid-related deaths in its region (Haliburton, Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes) as compared to April 2019 and March 2020.
“These are more than statistics. These are real people who are overdosing and dying in our communities,” says Catherine MacDonald, a Registered Nurse and Substances and Harm Reduction Coordinator with the HKPR District Health Unit. “International Overdose Awareness Day is a time to remember those we’ve lost to overdose and to share in the grief of affected families. The day also reminds us that if we do our part, we can reduce the stigma surrounding overdose deaths and the likelihood of them happening again.”
Throughout Tuesday in front of Victoria Hall a tent was set-up with volunteers providing information associated with overdoses.
During the vigil that was attended by a number of people including Mayor John Henderson and councillor Adam Bureau the names of those that have died as a result of an overdose were read.
Some people in the crowd held photos of loved ones.
At the end of each reading, the name of the person was said with the following words – “they were here.”
Six candles were lit and placed on the ground by organizers. Each of the candles held special significance during the ceremony.
“Let’s remember that overdoses are a health and social issue, and that with increased community awareness and action, we can save lives,” MacDonald adds.
Alison Dunford spoke to Today’s Northumberland about the loss of her brother Rob who was 47-years-old when he passed away from an overdose on November 30, 2019.
Dunford said her brother was the second oldest out of four children and, “loved as best as he knew how.”
“He wasn’t just my brother, he was my daughters uncle, he was a father and son as well.”
Dunford said her brother had demons from his past that eventually took his life, but her brother was much more than a statistic.
He was Uncle Bob to Dunford’s young daughter and the two had a special relationship.
“Anytime she’d ask him to do something he would,” Dunford says with a smile.
Then the happy smile vanishes and she says, “but he was only allowed around her when he was clean. When I knew there was nothing in his system because that’s not fair to her.”
But in happier times and videos of the two together they are laughing and singing to Kid Rock which was “their song.”
Dunford said it’s with mixed emotions attending the vigil, but she hopes it can help one family.
“My brother isn’t just another number. I don’t want to see siblings go through the pain that I have.”
She hopes that if there was more means out there for treatment it may have helped, but sadly says, “I knew it was coming. It was just a matter of when I got that phone call.”
“It still doesn’t take the pain away or how he passed away, but it’s not something people need to hide from.”
Dunford says there is not only a COVID pandemic happening. There is a drug pandemic happening in everytown from the west coast to the east coast.
“Politicians really need to put more money into mental health and addiction to get these people the help they need.
Because they are not just a drug addict. They are a father or a sister or a mother. They are something. They just lost their light and sometimes you just need to reach out and help them.”
But adds, “they also have to be ready for the help.”
The events were hosted by HKPR District Health Unit in partnership with PARN, Green Wood Coalition, Moms Stop the Harm and the John Howard Society.
If you see someone who is overdosing call 9-1-1 and give the person naloxone.
The Good Samaritan Act protects anyone trying to help in an emergency from possible legal repercussions. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act also protects people on the scene of an overdose from being charged for possessing or using drugs.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
