All those who have lost someone to an overdose are invited to attend an International Overdose Awareness Day and memorial event Wednesday evening at Sarnia’s Centennial Park.
All those who have lost someone to an overdose are invited to attend an International Overdose Awareness Day and memorial event Wednesday evening at Sarnia’s Centennial Park.
The Bluewater Health-organized event at the MacPherson Foundation on the waterfront will include information about addiction and mental-health services. There will also be purple skin tones and ribbons available.
Participants will be able to write the name of a loved one they’ve lost or a message.
“You can take your time and just walk down the river and tie it along the railing,” said Laurie Hicks, a project assistant with withdrawal management at Bluewater Health.
Her son, Ryan, died of a fentanyl overdose in 2015.
“It gives you time to reflect, time to remember, maybe have a good cry, think of some good stories,” Hicks said.
About 60 people attended the event when it was first held in 2021, she said.
“I found at the last one people were connecting with each other,” Hick said. “There were a lot of tears and a lot of hugs.”
The event provided an opportunity for many to know that they’re not alone in their grievance, Hicks said.
“There are a lot of us that have lost either a spouse, or a child or niece, nephew, grandchild,” she said.
People can drop by any time during the 6 pm to 8 pm memorial, Hicks said.
“You don’t need to bring anything,” she said. “Just take your time and remember the ones that we’ve lost.”
Much has changed since Hicks and her family joined others in the community years ago to advocate for improved addictions services.
Earlier this year, the province announced $12 million for Bluewater Health to develop a permanent 24-bed addictions hub at the hospital site in Sarnia over the next two to three years.
“We’ve waited a long time for it,” Hicks said. “It’s just not something we’re fighting for any more. We’ve got it and it’s going to happen.”
Previously, the hospital established a 12-bed facility on Exmouth Street known as Ryan’s House.
Hicks said it was “very humble” when the facility was named for her son.
“When Ryan was looking for help, we did not have any withdrawal management or detox beds in Sarnia,” she said.
Sarnia residents needing those services had to find a way to get to Windsor or London.
Now, there are seven temporary withdrawal management beds on the sixth floor at Bluewater Health in Sarnia.
The 12 beds at Ryan’s House are available for those who have completed detox and are waiting for space in rehabilitation programs, or dealing with other needs. Counseling is available, along with Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and group meetings. Individuals stay an average of 30 days.
“They cook their meals as a family, eat as a family and they support each other,” Hicks said. “They want to get better but they need that extra time and that’s never been available before.”