Public health doctor shares message for International Overdose Awareness Day

GUELPH – In 2023, 73 deaths in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph were caused by suspected fatal drug poisonings. This number should shock us. Each one of those deaths is a person, a member of our community.

We can no longer simply pause and consider the devastating impact of the drug crisis on our community.

On International Overdose Awareness Day (Aug. 31), we must remember that this is a problem our community can and will solve together.

To do that, we need to use every tool available to us.

We need to address the root causes of the crisis while we support people experiencing immediate human needs and suffering related to this crisis.

Every person who has been touched by the overdose crisis has their own story, which we ought to treat with dignity.

International Overdose Awareness Day calls on all of us to find ways to contribute to reducing the devastating impact of the toxic drug supply on our neighbours.

WDG Public Health provides harm reduction resources, including naloxone, to people within our community. This is just one small part of the network of individuals and organizations working to combat the drug poisoning crisis.

On behalf of the Agency, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the many people working tirelessly to create a better, healthier future.

Written by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph associate medical officer of health Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum.