A community barbeque in Owen Sound later this week will mark International Overdose Awareness Day.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit will join with Safe ‘n Sound and the Community Drug and Alcohol Strategy’s Grey Bruce Opioid Working Group for the event.
The goal is to bring people together to remember lost loved ones, and spread the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.
Nurses from the Grey Bruce Health Unit will be at the barbeque to offer overdose awareness training and distribute the lifesaving medication Naloxone.
The community barbeque is this Friday from noon to 2 p.m. at Safe ‘n Sound, on 8th Street East in Owen Sound.
"It’s important that we look at opioid addiction and overdose as a health issue, rather than a moral one," said Alison Govier, coordinator of the Community Drug & Alcohol Strategy. "Prevention, education, treatment and harm reduction practices like using naloxone all play an important role in saving lives."
Naloxone is available at the Grey Bruce Health Unit as well as select local pharmacies and community partners.