Press Release for Overdose Awareness Day 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2024

PEERS ALLIANCE HOSTS EVENTS IN BOTH CHARLOTTETOWN AND SUMMERSIDE IN OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY 

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those who have died from an overdose, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.

In Canada, drugs now kill more people than HIV/AIDS in 1995 at the height of the crisis.The drug overdose epidemic is one of the most serious public health emergencies our country has ever faced. With over 8,000 deaths reported in 2023, we are now losing 22 people every single day. This crisis is driven by an unregulated and increasingly toxic street supply of synthetic drugs. The tragic impacts of this epidemic vibrate through every community, and Prince Edward Island is not immune. 

According to the Chief Public Health Office, accidental drug poisonings continue to rise in PEI. In 2023, initial reports indicate that Island EMS responded to 137 suspected opioid related overdoses with Emergency Departments and the Chief Coroner’s Office reporting 48 accidental non-fatal opioid-related overdoses and at least 7 deaths. These indicators are all higher than data reported in 2022. The trend line is clear, and it is going up.    

The theme of International Overdose Awareness Day 2024, Together We Can, is a reminder that there is no simple solution for addressing this crisis; no one organisation, program, department, or branch of government can solve this problem alone. But Together We Can. Together we can advance evidence-informed interventions across the spectrum of substance use response that includes prevention, harm reduction, and treatment. Together we can innovate where new approaches allow us to meet new challenges. Together we can work for sensible drug policy reform that centres public health, safety, and human rights. Overdose deaths are preventable and Together We Can do better.    

In recognition of Overdose Awareness Day, P.E.E.R.S. Alliance will be hosting two community events highlighting overdose prevention tools including our newly launched advanced drug checking service with Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy. This technology provides information about sample composition so participants can learn detailed information about what is in their drugs, receive harm reduction information, and make informed decisions.  

These events provide an open opportunity for community members to engage in conversations about substance use, drug checking, and overdose prevention and response with P.E.E.R.S. Alliance staff. While the event in Summerside will be at Memorial Park, the Charlottetown event will also serve as an open-house to our new office space at 53 Grafton Street.

These events are open to all community members—anyone interested in learning more about overdose prevention and response is encouraged to attend. We all love someone who uses drugs. We hope you will join us on Thursday, August 29th in Summerside and Friday, August 30th in Charlottetown.

Event Details: 

WHAT: International Overdose Awareness Day Event 
WHEN: Thursday, August 29th, 2024 @ 11am - 3pm 
WHERE: Veterans Memorial Park at Trinity United Church, 89 Summer Street, Summerside
Rain Location: Summerside Rotary Library, Key Room

WHAT: International Overdose Awareness Day Event 
WHEN: Friday, August 30th @ 1-3pm, 5-7pm 
WHERE: 53 Grafton St, Suite 101, Charlottetown 

To find out more about International Overdose Awareness Day, visit: www.overdoseday.com 

Media Contacts: Tessa Rogers (she/her), (902) 388-6235, tessa@peersalliance.ca | Angele DesRoches (she/her), (902) 566-2437, angele@peersalliance.ca