On Saturday, Mar. 25, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the United Way, Safe 'n Sound, Grey Bruce Public Health along with other partners, will be at the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market to highlight the continuing drug poisoning crisis in the City of Owen Sound.

The public is invited to take a carnation, walk the block around the 8th and 9th street bridges and then drop the flower into the river, to symbolize the loss of those who have passed, now gone permanently from our community.

Donations are being accepted to support the Supportive Outreach Service (SOS) Project.

The event started in 2021, at the urging of Gelja Sheardown, to mark the annual anniversary of the fatal overdose death of her husband, Barrett Warwick.

“He worked 7 days a week, he was a wonderful father, he was a wonderful husband, and then he was gone” Sheardown reflects.

Grey Bruce Public Health will be in attendance with Naloxone kits, safe-use equipment, and information to provide the community with a better understanding of our community’s current opioid epidemic, and will share how public health is addressing this epidemic through the Opioid Response Plan and other efforts.

“I’d like to offer my most sincere condolences to the groups of families and friends who are missing those who have been lost to opioid overdose / poisoning. We’re actively collaborating with community partners and people with lived and living experience to addressing the opioid pandemic in our community. We are committed to supporting our community” says Alexis Cook, program manager of Harm Reduction at GBPH.

“We’re honoured to be taking part in this event and for the opportunity to share information with the community on how to recognize an overdose and on the potentially life-saving drug Naloxone, which can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose.”

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source: media release, United Way Bruce Grey