Overdose Awareness Day marked by event in Cambridge

At least two people die every day in Ontario from drug overdoses.

It’s increased dramatically in the last couple of years thanks to the introduction of fentanyl into street drugs.

To combat the crisis, events like the one at Dickson Park Monday afternoon are meant to save lives.

Information tents were set up by the region’s Public Health Unit, along with Waterloo Region’s Integrated Drugs Strategy Program.

Lindsay Sprague with the WRIDS tells 570 NEWS that anyone can be affected by an overdose death. “Really what the event is for is to raise awareness, and to tell people that this happens in our community, and how we can further prevent it.”

The two hour event included a naloxone demonstration station and naloxone kit and harm reduction supply handout.

Kathy McKenna with Public Health says you should talk to your kids about the dangers of overdosing. “I’m a mother, I have children, and I have talks with them. Because you never know, you just never know.”

McKenna adds, our region still has a long way to go to drop opioid related deaths to zero. “We have so many people and groups working together to tackle this issue, but it takes a community, and we’re all trying our best.”

Speaking of the crisis, a roundtable discussion will be held Tuesday afternoon at Regional Police Headquarters. The discussion is hosted by Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris and Ontario Conservative Leader Patrick Brown.

One of MPP Harris’ top priorities on his agenda has been trying to push fourth legislation to take down illegal pill press machines and the people that use them to make up to 15,000 fentanyl pills an hour.