In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, approximately 30 people marched in downtown Orillia on Friday evening.
The fourth annual event was organized by Johanne Logue, who lost her son, Shawn, to opioid poisoning in April 2020.
"Ever since COVID, the number of overdose-related deaths continues to rise," she said. "We need to bring awareness of that to the people of Orillia."
Logue says the annual walk becomes more and more important each year.
"If we don't do this, I think we're going to lose a lot more people," she said. "It's important that we speak about issues like this and come together to do something about it."
Logue, 63, says there isn't enough support in Orillia to help those with addiction issues. She hopes the walk may inspire change.
"There really isn't a detox centre here," she said. "A lot of people have told me they've gone to the hospital emergency room to be put on the sixth floor just so they can detox."
Logue hopes the annual walk will help end the stigma around addiction issues and bring more compassion.
"Addiction can happen to anyone," she said. "You can be put on an opioid for a broken leg and next thing you know you're addicted."
During the downtown walk, participants tied purple ribbons to trees in honour of those lost.
"I hope it inspires people to ask questions," Logue said. "I hope it sparks meaningful conversation and makes people more aware."
Orillia City Councilors Ralph Cipolla, Jeff Czetwerzuk, and Luke Leatherdale attended Friday's event, as did Mayor Don McIsaac.
"It's very meaningful that they are here," Logue said. "We hope that they can help us come up with ways that we can improve support and resources in the City of Orillia."
Also attending the event was Marie McConnell, who lost her son Jamie to fentanyl poisoning in August 2021. He was 46.
"Jamie got in a car accident when he was 23 and it wasn't his fault," she explained. "He ended up in intensive care for seven days on a ventilator with a brain injury. They prescribed oxycontin, 130 at a time, then they took it away and that was the end of the story."
Before the accident, McConnell says her son was thriving in life. He was in a committed relationship and had his own home.
"As painful as it is, we can't be afraid to share stories like Jamie's," she said. "Jamie had a disease and more needs to be done for people like him in the community."
McConnell hopes to see more people at the walk next year. She says spreading awareness is the best way to conquer addiction issues.
"Let's beat this together," she said. "It's scary stuff but we can't hide it. If we want change, we have to show that we care."
