Beyond the stigma, beyond the statistics, there are the stories of people who have died from substance use, overdose, and suicide. Every day, we think about the people we love. There's so much we understand now that we didn't before, and we wish we could talk to them about it.
THE LETTERS
This is what we’d say if only we still had the chance. Please read.
PHIL
Phil Haug lost his son, Alex. These are the words Phil would say to him today.
KYM
Kym Porter grieves for her son, Neil. Here are her thoughts for him.
DONNA
Donna May talks to her daughter. This is what she wants her to hear.
PETRA
Petra Schulz lost her son Danny when he was just 25. This is her letter to him.
We have lost too much.
We have said goodbye to far too many people—loved ones who deserve to be remembered for more than their struggles and how they died. They are our mentors. Our friends. Our parents. Our children. Every one of them has value. Every one of them is missed by someone.
WHAT YOU CAN DO.
Stigma continues to be a reality faced by many. It is a barrier for people and families who are seeking support. Let’s start having conversations with people in our lives right now. Let’s challenge the stigma of substance use and mental health in our communities.
NALOXONE
The drug poisoning crisis affects everyone. Please make sure you carry a naloxone kit. It can save a life by temporarily reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. In many communities, naloxone is available for free at local pharmacies and agencies.
LEARN More ABOUT Supervised consumption sites IN CANADA
Canada is experiencing an overdose emergency, which killed over 21,000 people between 2016 and 2020. Supervised Consumption Services (SCS) are a core component of Canada’s overdose response.
