Those who have lost loved ones to a substance overdose will have the opportunity to gather on Thursday Aug. 31 to hang locks and share their stories to remember family members and friends.
Residents in Recovery is organizing the event to coincide with International Overdose Awareness Day.
Executive Director Tyler Lorenz says those who have lost loved ones will be able to place a lock on the fence at the back of Residents in Recovery office. There will be a vigil in the backyard where they will have a few speakers, then the group will walk downtown.
“We will walk down to City Hall and around the police station and back. We will have a bunch of crosses set up in front of City Hall to recognize those that have passed away so far this year.”
In May, Alberta reported five deaths a day from overdoses, with 151 being from opioids, making it the leading cause of drug overdose deaths. In Saskatchewan, the death toll stood at 378 in 2022. This year, the Saskatchewan’s Coroner’s Office has described the death toll as “concerning” with 291 suspected and confirmed drug toxicity deaths so far in 2023. The Saskatchewan figure has increased every year from 88 in 2013.
Lorenz says overdose is a huge problem in Lloydminster.
“There’s multiple overdoses every day. Between us, the Street Team and Tawaw, we are handing out two-three hundred naloxone kits a month. And that does not include what is going out there from the pharmacies.”
He says there are good supports in Lloydminster along with harm reduction supplies. He is aware of some overdose deaths in the city this year, but it is difficult to get precise numbers for this area.
Thursday’s event begins at 7 p.m. at Residents In Recovery – 4804 – 50 Avenue, Lloydminster.
Lorenz will lead a naloxone training session at the SHA (Prairie North) Plaza in the Klinger Room on Sep. 12. He says organizers want to have those sessions monthly.
Also, on Sep. 16 the community will be invited to celebrate Recovery Day in Lloydminster. More details will be forthcoming.