Serene Spence says she has lost three family members due to overdose, and does not want others to experience the same type of loss.
Spence lives in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the city with the highest mortality rate related to opioids in the province, according to the latest data from Ontario Office of the Forensic Chief.
On Wednesday morning, she and her relatives walked through the city as part of the Nishnawbe Aski nation walk for survivors and their families, with framed photographs of the men who have lost to the opioid crisis.
“With heavy hearts, today we are here to show awareness and, hopefully, the people who are hurt there will come and receive help, and that family members like us are no longer suffered or afflicted by them,” said Spence, who is a member of Marten Falls First Nation.
Thunder Bay marks the International Overdose Awareness Day
Thunder Bay has the highest mortality rate related to opioids in the province. People gathered today in the city before the International Awareness Day of Overdose on Sunday, and Sarah Law of CBC were there to talk to them.
The walk ended outside the community organization, Shelter House, where people gathered before the International Overdose Awareness Day on Sunday. Organizations establish information booths throughout the street, while community leaders talked about the actions they want to see taken to reduce overdose and mortality rates in the district.
At night, Elizabeth Fry society of Elizabeth Fry society in northwest Ontario.
Spence said he wants to see more damage reduction resources, which include naloxone kits, new needles and drug equipment, as well as mental health support for those who suffer.
“It was very overwhelming, but being here today with the family, it is a healing process,” he said.
‘It’s about telling our stories’
Fay Pettypiece’s daughter Jessica Jonsson died of a fentanyl overdose in August 2022.
“My message is really, really finish stigma because my daughter didn’t want to die that day,” Pettypiece said.
Addiction is a disease, he explained, which means that people should show more empathy towards those who have become substance dependent.
“If we are sick, we go to the doctor, they take care of us, so these people are not different,” he said.
More housing and mental health facilities, where people can deal with their trauma, are at the top of their list of applicants, he added.
Kathleen Baleja attended Wednesday to educate people about Stop The Harm mothers, a national network of families affected by damages and deaths related to the use of substances.
Beyond sharing resources with people who use drugs, Baleja said it is essential for their families and their loved ones to know where to go for support.
“I felt that I was staggering in a sea for years until I discovered that moms stopped the damage,” said Baleja. “It’s about telling our stories, and once it tells its story, some of the stress go, you coupled it again and more stress goes.”
‘They keep people in progress’
The neighbor Bay of Thunder is Fort William First Nation, who has been under an emergency since last summer due to the toxic drug crisis.
The community has bought an installation in an unleashed place to support people who have completed a detoxification program while waiting to receive treatment. However, he needs government funds before he can officially open.
“I really feel that could be a catalyst for people who receive the help they need to have not been able to access this point,” said Chief Michele Solomon.
Waiting times to get into detoxification and treatment often prevents people from looking for help in the first place, said Salomon. Meanwhile, the toxicity of the street supply in Thunder Bay is spreading to Fort William, and “has had devastating impacts [on] Families and people in my community. “
But what makes her feel hopeful is to see the community groups to join to share resources and experience, she said, because “there is no sector that can do this only.”
“Gathering is a way to revitalize that hope because I think that for family and small communities in particular, it is really easy to feel desperate and feel that it is so difficult to discover what all the answers are, what are the solutions.”
Joanna Zanni has accessed the services of several of the organizations in the event on Wednesday. The resident of Thunder Bay said that she is in an active addiction and is regretting the loss of her brother.
“I am not in recovery at this time,” said Zanni. “I know that the door is open to go through, I just have to walk through it.”
The meetings he attended in Thunder Bay had a positive impact on it, he said, and has enjoyed participating in group activities that promote personal growth and recovery.
“They keep people in progress,” said Zanni. “If I could do them every day, all the time, I would.”
While navigating your own addiction trip, Zanni encourages others to seek help.
“They are wonderful people. There is nothing scary about it and do many fun things within groups and things,” said Zanni. “They have no idea what they are missing. I encourage everyone to do it.”
