International overdose awareness day recognized Wednesday

Today is overdose awareness day in North Bay.

There will be a ceremony tonight from 6-8 pm just outside city hall.

Caitlan Dobratz is with the AIDS Committee of North Bay and area.

She says opioid deaths are up in the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts from 9 in 2017 to 13 last year.

Dobratz says opioid deaths are everywhere including North Bay.

“Opioid deaths are taking place everywhere. The goal of tonight’s gathering is to raise awareness and to reduce the stigma of drug related deaths in our community,” she says.

She says there will be some heart wrenching stories on the issue told tonight as well.

“Having people with lived experience share personal stories in losing someone with an overdose and paying tribute to them,” she says.

Dobratz says Naloxone kit training will be provided as well tonight and remembrance will be paid to those lost to overdose.

(photo from North Bay Police)