The Canadian Mental Health Association Muskoka-Parry Sound is hosting a community event in Gravenhurst on Aug. 31 in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Trinity United Church.
The association said the day aims to remember the people whose lives have been lost to overdose and to take action to prevent future deaths.
During the event, officials said attendees will be invited to plant a stick in honour of someone they have lost or write the name of someone who is still struggling on a rock as a prayer of support.
The event will also feature a free BBQ, opportunities to connect with local resources, and access to naloxone and training, among other things.
This year marks 25 years of International Overdose Awareness Day. The 2026 theme, 25 Years On. Still Needed., reflects a difficult reality, according to officials. A quarter century after the first International Overdose Awareness Day was held, overdose continues to affect families and communities around the world.
In Canada, 5,608 people died from opioid-related toxicity in 2025, meaning an average of 15 people lost every day.
