International Overdose Awareness Day is marked on August 31. This day provides an opportunity to reduce stigma, learn the signs of opioid poisoning, carry naloxone, and take first aid training; the day also acknowledges the profound grief felt by families and friends whose loved ones have died or suffered permanent injury from an overdose. According to the Office of the Chief Coroner, 61 people died from opioid toxicity in the Thunder Bay district in 2025 (TBDHU, 2026).
COMMUNITY GATHERING
Join the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre on Mon, August 31st from 10am to 4pm at the Marina Spirit Gardens to gather and honour lives lost, support those impacted by substance use, and raise awareness in the Thunder Bay community and region. The day will include and Opening Pipe Ceremony, hand drumming, guest speakers, spirit dish & food, and more. For more information, contact [email protected] or (807)345-5840 ext 906
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Opioid poisoning is a medical emergency. It can happen when opioids slow or stop a person’s breathing. According to the Government of Canada, there were 5,724 apparent opioid toxicity deaths reported from October 2024 to September 2025 in Canada. In other words, an average of 16 deaths a day.
Red Cross offers a First Aid for Opioid Poisoning Online Course, a self-paced 1hr course to learn how to recognize signs of poisoning, provide first aid, and administer naloxone ($30 to complete).
Locally, join an upcoming community training opportunity on Overdose Response hosted by Queerdos TBay on September 26th 5-6:30pm at Elevate NWO. This is a free information and training session, nalaxone kits provided.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
The Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic in Thunder Bay offers offers walk-in and appointment-based support, addiction counselling, medication-assisted treatment, overdose prevention education and referrals to community programs. Local support is also available through organizations such as Elevate NWO, NorWest Community Health Centres, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and Thunder Bay Counselling, which provide a range of addiction, mental health and harm reduction services.
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