Canada’s overdose issue isn’t hidden down dark alleyways anymore. It’s front and centre in Lloydminster, and local advocates say the issue is bigger than the Border City.
International Overdose Awareness Day is tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 31. In recognition, Tyler Lorenz, executive director at Residents in Recovery, invites the public to attend Recovery Week events.
“International Overdose Awareness Day is about bringing awareness to the fact so many people are still dying of overdose,” said Lorenz. “We’re still seeing people dying, and this year alone has seen roughly 2,000 overdose deaths in Alberta, which is an increase from last year.”
“We’re also going to see a big spike in overdose deaths in Saskatchewan with the provincial government’s pull away from harm reduction.”
Crosses will be placed along 44 St. between Lloydminster City Hall and the RCMP detachment ahead of Saturday’s vigil. The vigil will be held at the corner of 49 St. and 51 Ave. from 1-4 p.m. on Aug. 31 to recognize those lost to overdose. Participants will also hang locks to honour the deceased.
Overdose: It’s a government issue, not a local one
According to Lorenz, these deaths are completely preventable. However, federal and provincial governments would have to revamp how they look at and deal with addiction.
“Government policies are contributing to overdose deaths,” said Lorenz. “There needs to be more capacity, a continuum of care for addictions treatment, there is none. We still look at detox and inpatient treatment as the model of care for addiction recovery, and it’s never worked.”
“We need a full continuum from harm reduction, to detox, to pre-treatment sober living, to treatment, to post-treatment sober living,” he said. “They preach recovery and say we’re in a system of care … our system of care is anything but. They’re just not seeing that.”
Colleen Young, Lloydminster MLA and Saskatchewan’s minister and advanced education, noted Saskatchewan is taking recovery more seriously.
“We are focused on recovery and trying our best to create spaces and services to get people into recovery,” she said.
“Every drug out there is a poison. It is not just a drug, it is a poison that is trying to kill people.”
Mental Health issues in a broken system
Lorenz also talked about the sad state of mental health treatment in Canada.
“We work with a few people in Lloyd who suffer with extreme mental health issues,” he said. “We’ve worked to get them put into the system, only to have them sent back to our community and back on the streets within weeks.”
Lorenz explained a member of the community was accepting treatment in North Battleford, only to end up back in Lloydminster two weeks later. In this case, Lorenz’s biggest issue was the lack of after-treatment care.
“She’s back on the streets doing exactly what she was before because she received zero treatment,” he said.
Recovery Week events also include a charity barbecue at Residents in Recovery from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 3. Put on by the Gold Horse Casino, free hot dogs, drinks and snacks will be available by donation of a non-perishable food item.
Lorenz and Tigre-Lee Campbell will also be hosting Naloxone training from 1:30-2:30 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. on Sept. 3. Training will taking place in the Klinger Conference Room of the Saskatchewan Health Authority Plaza.
Naloxone training is free to attend, however, there are only 20 spots available. To register, please call 306-820-6161.
Read More: Bobcats, scratch, fever – pucks will fly
Locally owned and community driven, the Lloydminster Meridian Source is the online news source in the Border City. Whether it’s breaking news, features or sports, if you have questions about what’s going on around town, Source it with us!
Since online platforms no longer support the sharing of news, we encourage you to bookmark meridiansource.ca. Whether you’re having a coffee or enjoying a meal, check in any time for the most up-to-date news in Lloydminster.
