The overdose situation in Kenora is not getting better, and increasingly potent substances and polysubstance use are making overdoses more complex, according to a senior official at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.
“We’re not seeing things get better,” said Gillian Lunny, the vice president of patient services and chief nursing executive at the local hospital. “It’s an uphill battle for sure.”
Lunny spoke with the Miner and News ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day, observed annually on Aug. 31. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the international campaign, with the theme “25 Years On. Still Needed.”
Opioid overdoses remain part of the problem in Kenora, Lunny said, while the risks surrounding substance use have become increasingly complex.
“It’s become more complex over the years, in particular due to the substances becoming stronger and more potent and polysubstance use,” she said.
Combining opioids with other substances, including alcohol and benzodiazepines, can lead to worse outcomes, Lunny said.
The local drug supply is also constantly changing. Lunny said the hospital relies on information from the Northwestern Health Unit, which issues alerts about new and potent substances in Kenora.
“It can be a challenge to keep up with for sure,” she said.
Lunny said that despite what some might think, overdose and opioid addiction are not confined to any particular segment of the population.
“There isn’t any group of people that are immune from this issue,” she said. “Opioid overdose and opioid addiction in particular can impact anyone.”
“It doesn’t matter your demographic,” she added, pointing to factors such as income and ethnicity.
For Lunny, the issue is also personal. Before joining Lake of the Woods District Hospital, she spent 20 years working in harm reduction.
She became emotional as she reflected on the people she has lost over the years.
“I can’t talk about this issue without seeing faces and names of people who have passed away,” she said.
“It’s very real for me, and it’s very real for so many of the people I know in Kenora who work in this area.”
She said those working in the field often care deeply about the people they serve and experience significant loss.
“When you work in this area, you love the work you do, and you really care for the people you provide care to, and there’s a lot of loss,” Lunny said.
Stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health and addictions can also prevent people from seeking help, Lunny said.
“Silence can kill, especially in this area,” she said.
According to Lunny, people may delay accessing services if they don’t feel they can do so safely or openly discuss their addictions, which can lead to harmful health outcomes.
“The more we can provide those safe spaces for people to disclose what they’re going through and to see that they’re not alone in their journey is really important,” she said.
There has been progress over the past 25 years, particularly in how openly mental health and addictions are discussed, with Lunny pointing toward collaboration among local organizations, including partners involved in Kenora’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, as an important part of addressing mental health and addictions. The hospital also provides community services to help people who face barriers to accessing health care.
“No organization can do this alone,” Lunny said.
International Overdose Awareness Day was honoured in Kenora on Monday, Aug. 31, beginning with a flag raising at City Hall at 9:30 a.m. After that, organizations, advocates and well-wishers gathered across from Market Square to have conversations and learn more about the bigger picture. People with lived experience, including those who have lost loved ones to overdose, also participated.
Among many other things, naloxone kits and training will be available at the gathering.
“I have a kit in my purse at all times to help save a life,” Lunny said.
“It’s just like a first aid kit or an AED,” Lunny said. “It’s something we can all carry.”
People who don’t have a naloxone kit, have an expired one, or want to learn more about using one can access kits at the health unit.
“The issues remain and continue to get more complex,” Lunny concluded, speaking of the day’s 25th anniversary.
“It’s something that still needs to be talked about, not just every year. We should be doing it more than that.”
