YORKTON, Sask. — Community organizations, health-care providers and residents gathered in Yorkton on Aug. 31 for International Overdose Awareness Day, aiming to raise awareness about substance use, reduce stigma and connect people with available supports.
The day began with a barbecue at Bruno's Place before participants walked to City Centre Park for an afternoon of speakers, cultural performances, naloxone training and remembrance activities.
Lisa Kroll, case plan manager at Bruno's Place, said the event was designed to bring people together while recognizing the impact substance use has on individuals and families across the community.
"We're going to have some awareness brought to the community," she said. "We're also going to have people that were in recovery or are recovered."
The gathering also included powwow dancers from the Dr. Brass Powwow Group, musical performances, information booths and tea lights where participants could write the names of loved ones affected by substance use.
Kroll said one of the key messages behind International Overdose Awareness Day is that people struggling with addiction deserve compassion and support.
"They are people, no matter the walk of life path that they're on, that they still deserve a chance to be in that recovery stage, to go to recovery," she said.
At Bruno's Place, Kroll helps connect shelter clients to detox and treatment services. She said substance use issues have become a significant part of her work, often outweighing efforts to secure housing.
"In the past couple years, I've probably had more people that I send to detox and help out with treatment than what I do trying to get housed," she said.
Kroll said finding long-term solutions can be difficult in a rural community where resources are limited.
The first step for many clients is admission to detox programming, often through facilities such as Eagle Sky Healing Lodge or Walking Buffalo Wellness Society. While placements are available, she said wait times can vary depending on bed availability and intake schedules.
Kroll said recovery requires more than detox and treatment, pointing to the need for additional community supports in Yorkton.
"It takes a village," she said.
The event also highlighted services available to people experiencing substance use challenges and housing instability.
The Yorkton Indigenous Friendship Centre provided information on overdose prevention, naloxone, harm reduction and support services. Roxanne Scott said the organization has also expanded programming for people seeking support.
"We recently opened an NA group that we run every second Tuesday in each month," she said. "We also have a women's support group."
Medavie Health Services was also on hand to discuss a withdrawal management program launched in June.
Joel Kinzel said the mobile detox service allows community members to access support through a voluntary self-referral process.
"We offer mobile detox to any community members," he said.
The program operates daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through a community paramedic who can help manage withdrawal symptoms and related medical concerns. Residents can access the service by calling 306-310-5000 and selecting option six.
Housing and homelessness supports were another focus of the event.
Martha Garris, program manager with SIGN's housing support program, said her organization attended to ensure people were aware of available services.
"We know that population can sometimes overlap as well with those who are dealing with substance use issues or in recovery from them," she said.
SIGN provides assistance with housing applications, income assistance forms, rental searches and ongoing tenancy supports, including landlord mediation and education on tenants' rights and responsibilities.
Mayor Aaron Kienle also attended and said community support plays an important role in helping people avoid isolation.
"So much of this is about community support and people not feeling isolated and alone," he said.
Kienle said events such as International Overdose Awareness Day provide an opportunity for residents to show support to individuals and families affected by substance use.
"Our community needs to come together and show love and show support and show that we care," he said.
