An event to bring awareness to the growing overdose crisis in Owen Sound is set to be held Saturday.
On March 27th from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the United Way, Safe n Sound and Public Health will be at the Owen Sound Farmer’s Market.
The community is invited to take a carnation, walk the block around the 8th and 9th street bridges and then drop the flower into the river, to symbolize the loss of those who have died in the community.
Last week, three overdose deaths were reported in Owen Sound.
A release says Gelja Sheardown will attend as she marks the 1 year anniversary of the fatal overdose death of her husband Barrett Warwick.
United Way of Bruce Grey Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn says, “When Gelja approached us, wanting to tell her story, tell Barrett’s story, we knew we could offer the whole community an opportunity to mourn and grieve these losses.”
Safe N’ Sound Executive Director Toni McGregor says, “With over 20 overdose deaths during the pandemic, we need to mourn and we need to act and act swiftly.”
The release states, over the past 9 months Safe n Sound has disposed of over 33 000 sharps through a Sharps Disposal Program.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit will also be there with Naloxone kits and information for the community to have a concrete understanding of the current Opioid Epidemic here in Grey Bruce, and to understand what has been done to date on the matter.
Health Unit Harm reduction Manager Ian Reich says, “Open conversations like this, along with kindness, and understanding will be a main contributing factor to help manage the Opioid Epidemic.”
Reich adds, “We must all be grounded in the understanding that addiction and mental health do not need to be a hidden issue, rather one that we, as a community, wrap our arms around and embrace those struggling with kindness and empathy to make sure they understand; we care, and we are here for you, and it is safe to come forward.”