A memorial was held this week for people in Sudbury who've lost loved ones to the opioid crisis
'You don't want people to forget them or forget that this is a real problem'
While the holiday season can be a time of celebration, it can be difficult for those grieving the death of a loved one. That's why the Elgin Street Mission held a Christmas Comfort Service to remember those who have died due to the opioid crisis.
The service was held Wednesday evening in the foyer at Tom Davies Square in downtown Sudbury. With opioid-related deaths having reached alarming levels, the event aimed to provide support to those who are struggling with their grief at this time of year.
It featured speeches from Amanda Labreche, the director and chaplain at the Elgin Street Mission, and Gerry Lougheed Jr., a local philanthropist and funeral director in Sudbury.
People attending were invited to write the names of those who have passed away on ornaments, and hang them on a Christmas tree. The tree will remain in the city hall foyer for the rest of the holiday season.
"We have lost so many people to the opioid crisis. We had a list of names that seemed endless. We go from number one to two spots in the country for death by opioids. And that's a really big deal," explained Labreche, referring to the list of more than 200 names of those who have died from overdoses or drug poisoning in Greater Sudbury.
"It's not something we're proud of, but I think it's important to come together to acknowledge the loss and to be here for the families," said the chaplain.
According to Public Health Sudbury and Districts, there have been 124 suspected drug toxicity deaths so far this year. There were 135 in 2023.
"The holiday season is very difficult for people who are grieving. It brings back all kinds of memories, sometimes it brings guilt and shame too. And so I think it's really important to come together and to celebrate, maybe not the way people died, but the way they lived," said Labreche.
Lisa Groulx was one of the parents who attended, as her son, Alec, died from an accidental fentanyl overdose on October 8, 2022.
"I found him in his apartment, so it was the most devastating day of my life. I'm very traumatized by it and I think it's a memory that's going to stick with me forever," said Groulx.
Alec was 27 years old when he died. His mother remembers him as a talented musician, songwriter, and the "life of the party."
Groulx said events like the Christmas Comfort Service are important because they put a face to the statistics.
"You just hear a name and it's like, OK, you know, but if you get to know them a little bit, you find out that they're human. You find out that everybody has problems and we can get this under control," says Groulx.
She added the service also allowed her to grieve with those who understand what it's like to lose a child.
"I was born to be his mom. That's the whole reason I was born. And now I'm a little lost because I don't really know my purpose right now," said Groulx.
It's a sentiment that Theresa Desjardins relates to. She lost her youngest son, Noah, when he was 20 years old.
"He was in a bad accident and had to take heavy medications. [There] came a time where the medication stopped and he just got numbness elsewhere," said Desjardins, explaining that her son became addicted to drugs prescribed to him.
"He was with his neighbours and so they called me. They just told me that he passed away, that they couldn't save him."
She describes Noah as charismatic, confident, and a natural comedian. She says the service was her chance to honour her son.
"You don't want people to forget them or forget that this is a real problem, and things like this allow for people to get together and feel like they're not alone. I'm not the only mom in Sudbury who lost a child," explained Desjardins.
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