Families and friends gathered in front of the Civic Centre to remember those who died from substance use disorder
A candlelight vigil held last night in Sault Ste. Marie was a way for people to remember the loved ones they lost due to addiction.
Held at the Memorial Wall near the Civic Centre, this is the fifth year the vigil has taken place in the Sault.
Approximately 25 people were in attendance as candles were placed beside the Memorial Wall, which features the names of people who died from addiction along with a star for each name.
Connie Raynor-Elliott, founder of Save Our Young Adults from Drug Abuse, described the numbers of substance use-related deaths in the region and the need for more funding to help treat addiction.
“The first quarter of this year Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma was actually number eight in opioid deaths and in the second quarter we were at number two. I’ve seen our city at number one,” Raynor-Elliott said.
She knows 16 people who wanted to go to Northway Wellness over the last two weeks, but they had to wait.
“The wait list at Northway Wellness is well over a week. I’ve lost two people that died waiting to go to treatment. That’s wrong. We need to help those who want help at the point in time when they need it,” Raynor-Elliott said.
“When somebody wants help, they want help now.”
She said more beds need to be added to the Northway Wellness Centre.
“It definitely has to be expanded.”
Raynor-Elliott said 24-hour service for those looking for shelter and immediate help needs to be funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health.
More provincial funding would lead to the hiring of more professionals who can help those in distress, she said.
“We’re losing a lot of people in the field because they’re working two or three jobs, all part-time. They need full-time employment so they’ll stay. And that’s all funding.”
Raynor-Elliott saluted those who are in recovery from substance use disorder.
“I want everybody to remember the loved ones that we’ve lost, the loved ones who are struggling, but we also have to celebrate the ones that have made it.
“We have some amazing people in our community who are rocking recovery and that’s because everybody helps. All the agencies have to work together,” she said.
“Those people made that step and we fought for them. We worked really hard and they worked harder than any of us to get themselves well.”
Mayor Matthew Shoemaker said he hopes conditions will improve in the Sault so the vigil will no longer be necessary.
“We can hope a day will come where this will be behind us,” he said.
“We can gather to remember those who fought and lost in that battle, but also celebrate those who have overcome their addictions,” Shoemaker said.
Sault MP Terry Sheehan, who was unable to attend, provided a written statement.
“To all of those in our community who have lost loved ones to overdose and addictions, please accept my deepest condolences and unwavering solidarity,” his statement said.
“I remain committed to advocating for meaningful resources and long-term solutions that protect dignity, preserve life and foster hope.”
City Councillor Lisa Vezeau-Allen also attended the ceremony and said everyone in the Sault needs to work together to solve this crisis.
“I know that we are really, really struggling. Our point in time count has over 400 identified as homeless and we need to do better as a community. I think all of us working together and collaborating together is how we’re going to create change.
“I remain committed to this community and I respect all of you who are grieving. I am hopeful for brighter days ahead,” Vezeau-Allen said.
