Harm Reduction Task Force Chair Christie Reeve speaks at International Overdose Awareness Day in Market Square. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
He says the cycle of addiction is hard to break and we all have to work together.
Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services Chief Doug Socha and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Medical Officer of Health and CEO Dr. Piotr Oglaza were on hand at Market Square for International Overdose Awareness Day on August 28, 2019. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
He says for him, drugs were a way of coping and by 27, his life was out of control.
Even now, Bill says his life is still affected by drugs and addiction even though he is clean.
He says in the last year he has lost 26 people in his life to drugs and addiction and he is now almost numb to overdoses and death.
Dr. Oglaza says Canada is the second largest consumer of prescription opioids.
Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk says overdose and drug addictions are a discussion that needs to happen locally, provincially and nationally.
Director of Community Affairs David Joyce, representing Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith, says his family has dealt with drug addiction and death.
He says the province will invest $3.8 million into a mental health and addictions strategy over the next ten years and has invested $1.3 million this year alone.
Joyce says it all comes back to taking care of each other and today is a great start to those conversations.
Chaplain Lisa Glisky stated addiction sneaks into people’s lives in the form of pain or a fun night with friends but then licks at your soul. She said dealing with this crisis is a vitally important responsibility in our community and together we can save lives.
The event was put together by the Hastings and Prince Edward Harm Reduction Task Force and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
A moment of silence was held in memory of those who were lost due to drug overdoses.
