Breaking through stigma theme of this year’s International Overdose Awareness Day

Afternoon rain showers didn’t dampen spirits at Market Square in Belleville as Addictions and Mental Health Services – Hastings Prince Edward hosted its International Overdose Awareness Day event Wednesday.

The event is part of the world’s largest annual campaign to raise awareness of the current opioid crisis and reduce stigma surrounding addiction.

“I think we had a fantastic event today, despite some of the challenges that we had with that downpour that came down just like minutes before the event,” said Addictions and Mental Health Services – Hastings Prince Edward counsellor Brian Carnevale.

“To see everyone out here, to see our community partners out here, setting up their tables, sharing information with the community and to see so many folks come out in our audience today. I think it’s a fantastic event.”

Brian Carnevale with Addictions and Mental Health Services – Hastings Prince Edward speaking at International Overdose Awareness Day event at Market Square.
(Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)

One of the community partners at the event was Sunrise Addiction Clinic.

Members of the clinic showed those passing by what naloxone kits look like and how they should be used.

AJ Sameroll and Komo Kosla of Sunrise Addiction Clinic showing how naloxone kits are used. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)

AJ Sameroll, with the clinic, says community events like the one held at Market Square are important for raising awareness about the issues of addictions and overdoses.

“It’s a community disease in some ways. People need to be linked together and success is about linking them together. So to have the community coming together on a day like this with all the different organizations and associations is a great day.”

Multiple speakers talked about their experiences with addiction, and battling through stigma, as part of a presentation.

Nearing the end of the presentation, artwork done by local artist Sarah Winn was unveiled.

Artwork titled “Breaking Through” unveiled by local artist Sarah Winn and Addictions and Mental Health Services – Hastings Prince Edward’s Mary Levine. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)

“I asked for help from Addictions and Mental Health to ask other clients what the words stigma means to them. So, I received the list of words that I used in painting,” Winn said during her presentation.

“So I received a list of words and I used it in the painting. I placed the words in shards of broken glass and some of them were breaking, symbolizing how words can cut.”

The artwork will be on display on the third floor of Belleville Public Library for the month of September.

Carnevale says the conversation around stigma is improving but there is still work to be done.

“We noticed Carey Price this year for the hockey season. He didn’t play hockey at the start, right. He came out and he announced, to basically the world, his trouble with alcohol use. So I think slowly and surely we’re breaking stigma down but it’s still a huge barrier,” Carnevale tells Quinte News.