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Community members gathered Saturday at All Saints’ Church for the third year to mark International Overdose Awareness Day and remember loved ones lost.
Bruce and Brenda Brownlie know first hand the loss of life associated with the opioid drug crisis, having watched a son, a niece and a nephew succumb.
Bruce, an executive board member with Reaching for the Stars Optimist Club that sponsors the event, said the annual memorial helps deal with grief.
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“I feel a little better every year,” Bruce said.
He said he got involved three years ago following the death of his stepson Jeremy.
Ninety wooden crosses were set up outside All Saints Church, commemorating those who lost their lives this year and and during the last two years.
“We honour the memories of those who have left us too soon, and we hold onto the hope that the actions we take today will help save lives tomorrow,” said Mallory Dickenson, president of Reaching for the Stars Optimist Club.
“This event is a testament to both our sorrow and our solidarity,” Dickenson said. “We want those who are struggling to know they are not alone — our community stands ready to support them and their families.”
The evening of reflection and remembrance was held on a day dedicated to commemorating people lost to the drug crisis, but also a day devoted to inspiring change “for a brighter future.”
Organizers said the gathering provided a platform for information sharing, encouraged conversations around prevention, recovery and the importance of community support.
MPP Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West), NDP critic for mental health and addictions, issued a statement to mark the day, saying, “Addictions can impact absolutely anyone.
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