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International Overdose Awareness Day Flag Raising Ceremony at Toronto’s City Hall
Toronto, Ontario (28/08/24): The Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP) will be hosting a flag-raising ceremony in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) at City Hall on Saturday the 31st August 2024 at 11:00 a.m. IOAD is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died from an overdose, and acknowledge the grief of the families and friends left behind. It spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable. The IOAD 2024 theme “Together We Can” highlights the power of our community when we all stand together.
Since 2016, there have been over 45,000 opioid-related toxicity deaths. Last year alone, there were 8,049 deaths from opioid overdose in Canada. This is an average of 22 deaths per day – up from 20 in 2022. Ontario saw 32% of those overdose deaths – the largest portion reported by any province.
In line with this year’s theme, we want to highlight and celebrate the impact of collaborative efforts to mitigate the overdose crisis in communities across Canada. From its inception, substance use- related harm reduction and other efforts to save lives have been about collective action. At Black CAP, we believe an end to the overdose crisis is only possible when all stakeholders commit to working to achieve a shared goal. This International Overdose Awareness Day, we say to all members of the African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) as well as other communities impacted by substance use and overdose – “Together we can!” (#TogetherWeCan #IOAD2024 #EndOverdose)
MPP Krysten Wong-Tam, who represents the Toronto Centre riding where Black CAP is located, Councillor Chris Moise, the City Councillor for Ward 13 – Toronto Centre and other government officials are slated to speak.
This year’s event is a collaboration between Black CAP, the African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario (ACCHO), Flags of Hope (FOH) and Families for Addiction Recovery (FAR). In addition to the flag-raising ceremony, the CN Tower will be lit in the Overdose Awareness Day colours (purple and white) on August 31st.
