To align with Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st, United Way Simcoe Muskoka (UWSM) is hosting a documentary screening and panel discussion at the Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville.
Flood: The Overdose Epidemic in Canada is a powerful film that tells the human story behind the overdose epidemic and explores potential solutions.
The panel discussion will include filmmaker Adam D’Addario, local advocates and first responders, and Shari Dubois, a Huntsville mother who lost her son to an overdose and is now an advocate for youth mental health and addiction awareness.
Tragically, Canadian lives are being taken at an alarming rate by overdose-related deaths. The Covid-19 pandemic has compounded the problem through isolation, increased mental health issues, and the pressure of the rising cost of living. According to Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit stats, there were 323 opioid-related deaths in Simcoe Muskoka during the first 25 months of the pandemic, a number more than 75% higher than the 25 months prior to the start of the pandemic.
“The purpose of this screening is to reduce the stigma related to substance use, which is why we chose to align this event with International Overdose Awareness Day,” says Brian Shelley, Chief Executive and Philanthropy Officer at UWSM. “By creating a dialogue, we hope that we can inspire action and work together as a community to create solutions that will save lives right here in Muskoka.”
Event details:
When: August 31, 2022 – 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Where: Algonquin Theatre, 37 Main St. East, Huntsville, ON
Who: This event is open to the public. Tickets are free however you are required to reserve seats.
For more details, you can visit the event webpage.
Education is just one of the ways UWSM is working to support individuals living in Muskoka. The registered charity also:
- Supports individuals transitioning from poverty to possibility by funding the Circles Muskoka program
- Provides direct funding to families and individuals in crisis by issuing one-time micro-grants through its Urgent Needs Fund
- Connects low-income households with financial support through the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
- Invests in housing and supports for those experiencing homelessness through the administration of the Federal Government’s Reaching Home initiative
To learn more about the work your United Way is doing across the region and how you can help, visit www.uwsimcoemuskoka.ca.