Overdose Awareness Day (OAD) raises awareness around overdose, fights stigma, remembers those who have died, and acknowledges the grief of those who have been impacted by loss due to overdose. Time to Remember. Time to Act.

An overdose means having more of a drug (or combination of drugs) in your system than your body can cope with. All drugs can cause overdose, including prescription medication. When someone has overdosed, their symptoms and signs will depend on the type of drug used.

• Between 2020 and 2021, drug poisoning deaths have increased by 242% in Guelph Wellington-Dufferin counties.
• We know that at least 10 lives have been lost to drug poisoning in Guelph in the past 6 months.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that 20+ lives per day are being lost to drug poisoning across Canada.

People with addictions should not have to turn to the black market to get the drugs they require, and they deserve access to support and healthcare.

Remember people who have been lost to drug poisoning. Their lives matter and they deserve to be honored and celebrated openly.

Reflect on what is happening. People are overdosing due to toxic drug supply. Think about what steps need to be taken to provide support and prevention.

Heal openly with your community. The stigma around deaths from overdose force people to grieve silently, but everyone deserves the space to heal and to have their voices heard.

Resources for University of Guelph Students:

Student Recovery Community

The Student Recovery Community (SRC) is peer-led community for students who are interested in making changes to their substance use behaviours. This space provides opportunities for students to share their experiences and challenges with substance use and success in recovery. Students who are interested in participating in the recovery community are encouraged to email student.recovery@uoguelph.ca [1] to meet 1:1 with a peer facilitator – another student who has made changes to their substance use behaviours and to learn more about the group.

Connect with us at student.recovery@uoguelph.ca [1]

“As far as what the SRC has given me.... it’s given me an opportunity to connect with like-minded people so I don’t feel as alone.” – SRC participant

Where can I learn more?

Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy: Working to respond to issues of substance use and fight stigma in Guelph and Wellington County. wgdrugstrategy.ca [2]

General Knowledge & Resources: Basic overview and sources to find more information. overdoseday.com/overdose-basics/ [3]