New parental group fights against Ottawa’s growing opioid epidemic

Good morning! 

It’s hard to think we are heading into the final days of July. I’m thinking of our friends out west who are dealing with horrifying wildfires, and the Canadian beauty which has been lost in smoke. On the brighter side, I'm very excited for the Olympics, which are set to begin in Paris with the opening ceremony later today. I’m disinterested in the sports, but am looking forward to Celine Dion’s first performance since announcing she has stiff person syndrome. 

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to sit down with Natalie Bergin and Janet Tonks who lost their sons to opioid overdoses. The two suburban parents are turning their pain into action, trying to help with Ottawa’s drug crisis. They reached out to the Ottawa Lookout after reading our Monday story on the drug crisis affecting the ByWard Market. You can read their journey as our top story of the day. 

Ottawa has seen its fair share of rain this July, which led to a tornado near Perth. With storms on the rise, it’s expected more severe weather events are in our future. 

August will mark Ottawa’s annual Capital Pride Week festivities. I recently finished the latest issue of Kitchissippi Times which looks back on the city’s long past fighting for equal rights. I had the chance to sit down with many trailblazers who fought for the equality we see today. But there is still so much work to do. The newspaper will hit newsstands next week, but you can read the digital version here. 

— Charlie Senack, [email protected]

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WEATHER

Friday: 27 🌡️ 14 | 🌤

Saturday: 28 🌡️ 16 | ☀️

Sunday: 30 🌡️ 17 | ☀️

Monday: 30 🌡️ 20 | ☀️

DRUGS

More than just a stat: Suburban moms fight to end opioid overdoses

What happened: Natalie Bergin's world changed in April 2022 when her son died from an accidental overdose of Flubromazolam. 

William Bernard, 21, had generalized anxiety disorder and was doing well until he had to come off taking antidepressants to pursue pilot lessons at the Ottawa Flying Club. The Barrhaven resident, “who was born to fly,” attended Algonquin College for Aviation Management, but decided just weeks before his death to take a break on getting his commercial pilot licence so he could become mentally strong again.

“Three weeks before he died I asked William when the last time he felt well was and he said it was when he was on his medication. We both made a decision to put this dream on hold for now and focus on his mental health,” Natalie told the Ottawa Lookout. 

That is when William began taking Xanax, a fast-acting, potent tranquilizer of moderate duration within the triazolobenzodiazepine group of chemicals called benzodiazepines. The medication is no longer prescribed in Canada and was purchased off the streets. 

William was found lifeless in his bed on April 1. The night before he was working on a school project to be handed in the next day. Professors remembered William as a straight-A student who was at the top of his class. The coroner said the assignment he was finishing was beyond the work of a 21-year-old. At his funeral friends remembered William as a caring person who would do anything for others. 

“The stories I heard at the wake were amazing,” said Natalie. “In one case he helped a student and tutored him for eight hours because the student was going to drop out. He showed up to the wake in his pilot’s uniform.”

False advertising: The drug Flubromazolam is a triazolobenzodiazepine, which are benzodiazepine derivatives.  Also known as “liquid Xanax”, it's a very potent medication that can result in strong sedation and partial amnesia. Unlike most drugs, Flubromazolam is a medication that does not respond to Narcan, an opioid antagonist used to reverse or reduce the effects of an overdose. It is 20 times stronger than valium.  

William had no clue that he was taking the lethal drug; he thought the pills were Xanax. His death was labelled an accidental overdose, but Nathalie would like to see it changed to suspicious. 

That is why she created the parental advocacy group Trace the Lace, which is “dedicated to advocating for crucial reforms to ensure that law enforcement agencies investigate every aspect of our children’s laced drug overdoses,” its website reads. 

“We are looking at legislative changes and charging drug traffickers with manslaughter and criminal negligence, and we are decreasing the stigma on who the overdose victims are,” Natalie said. “These are our children, our nieces and nephews. Their lives have a story and their deaths need to start being investigated. We are asking for immediate government funded addictions treatment resources that are available right away and looking at mental health at the same time.”

Not alone: Janet Tonks’ 38-year old son James Fox died on Oct. 30, 2022 after overdosing on fentanyl at a Halloween party. He lived in Ottawa’s downtown core and had aspirations for helping others. 

“My son wanted to go to Algonquin College and be a writer. He was writing a storybook. He was out in the community trying to help the homeless, reading bible stories. He loved the world,” Tonks said. “He didn’t need this; he didn't ask for this. I'm sad my son is gone but through my heart-wrenching pain I’m trying to reach other parents so that we can be together in a community to try and stop what's happening in Ottawa.”

Tonks said it's her son's gentle soul and caring heart which has radiated through her heart when it comes to supporting others. She met Natalie at a parents group and the two instantly bonded over their shared grief. 

Both mothers had sons who didn’t want to die; they just needed help. William and James are not who you would picture when thinking of a drug addict or someone who died from an overdose. They didn’t live on the streets and came from supportive families. 

Cleaning up the market: The pair reached out to the Ottawa Lookout after reading Monday’s feature story which referenced the increased number of overdose calls in the ByWard Market. Retailers and business owners had enough and penned a letter to the mayor and other officials demanding immediate change, but no action has occurred. 

“I feel for the business owners [and] for the community that is living here. Children have been witnessing overdose deaths,” said Natalie. “I worked in mental health as a social worker for 16 years, and a lot of our clients were homeless patients. I saw the direct link to what is happening down here and people trying to get help but it isn't there.”

Tonks said she'd like to see some immediate steps taken such as putting phones outside of the new Police resource centre in the Rideau Centre where people can call for help when an overdose or any illegal activity occurs. She’s pleased to see more paramedics and police are patrolling the ByWard Market area, but said that won't go far enough to detract the drug dealers.

“We have quite a few centres here where people congregate together and it's only a small area. The dealers know where to come, they know a lot of people live here in this area. We try to get more police on the streets, we try to get more paramedics,” she said.

“But as a citizen if you see something happen report it; don't ignore it. That is somebody's child, dad or mother.”

By the numbers: Ottawa’s spike of opioid-related overdose visits to Ottawa hospitals peaked in July 2023 at 151, according to statistics published by Ottawa Public Health. They decreased to 79 in October 2023 but climbed again to 127 each in November 2023 and February 2024. The last stats available show 83 overdose-related ER visits in May 2023. Maps show a majority of the overdoses took place in the ByWard Market and other downtown communities. 

Opioid-related death stats are not yet available for the first half of 2024, but the first three quarters of 2023 there were 143 reported deaths. That is compared to 167 for all of 2022. Data from Ottawa Public Health suggested that in the first four weeks of this year, 22 suspected overdose deaths occurred, according to reporting from CTV. During this time, 258 ER visits for opioid overdoses were also recorded.

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OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

🥒 5: The number of years Ottawa’s NU Grocery has been offering sensory-friendly shopping hours. The trend has now spread to other retailers across Canada. [Ottawa Business Journal]  

🏬 50: The number of storeys a proposed residential tower will be in Ottawa’s Bayshore area. [CTV] 

🏠 $41M: The amount of money the Canadian government is pledging to build new housing and repair existing accommodations in eastern Ontario. [CTV]

WEATHER

More rain and storms expected in Ottawa, research shows

What happened: On July 24, a tornado warning was issued for Ottawa as the city's skies went dark. It was soon downgraded to a severe thunderstorm watch which could produce strong wind gusts, large hail and up to 50 millimetres of rain falling within an hour, reported CBC.

A wet July: The storm wasn't as bad as some predicted but it still resulted in 32.8 mm of rain falling in just a few hours. Since the beginning of July, Ottawa has received 150 mm of rain, with a total of 47.2 mm falling during a severe storm on July 6, reported CTV. 

• July 2024 is now the third wettest July in the past decade. In July 2017, 249 mm of rain fell with another 180 mm in July 2018. 

Tornado: Tornado hunters have confirmed that a tornado touched down in Perth on Wednesday. While damage appeared to be minimal, videos posted to social media showed downed trees and fender-benders in nearby Rideau Ferry, reported the Ottawa Citizen. A day later, hundreds remained without power but no damage to major infrastructure was reported.

In Cornwall: At least one home in the Glendale subdivision of Cornwall was damaged when lightning struck the building. No one was injured but there is now a gaping hole in the roof, and much of its siding is missing. “It is very devastating. We haven't been able to go in it, but I've looked in the doorway and it's a mess in there,” Mark Bennett told CTV.

THE AGENDA

🏖️ An Ottawa mother is calling for more safety at Britannia Beach following her son’s drowning at the popular swimming spot on June 3. Christiana Chikezie was in Nigeria for a funeral when she got a call about the incident. Her son, Nine-year-old José-Antonio Burpee, was staying with a family friend. Chikezie said she would have liked the beach to be patrolled by lifeguards (city beaches weren’t yet open for the season) and have life jackets available. A GoFundMe page has also been set up to cover funeral costs. [Ottawa Citizen]

🏗️ Highway 417 will be closed this weekend for the replacement of the Preston Street overpass. Road closures will be in place between Carling and Metcalfe until 6 am Monday. [Ottawa Lookout]

🤒 Ottawa’s wastewater testing will continue — at least for a few more months — despite funding cuts from the Ontario government. The University of Ottawa secured additional funding from elsewhere so the stats could be shared, but it wasn’t announced where the money would be coming from. [CTV]

🤼‍♂️ A team of 18 athletes from Ottawa and a few more from the surrounding National Capital Region are getting set to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. About one in 20 of the Canadian athletes competing are from the Capital, and over half are first-time competitors. [Ottawa Sports Pages]

🌉 More information is being shared about why the Causeway Bridge in Kingston had to be demolished. A report says the bridge buckled instantly when supports were removed, and that the diagonal steel truss was damaged while work was underway to strengthen it. [CBC]

🏋🏽‍♀️ A new fitness club is coming to the former Canadian Tire on Carling Avenue. The “wellness and social club” will include fitness studios, a hot yoga studio, pickleball courts, a three-lane lap pool, a children's pool and a women's only fitness space. It’s expected to open later this year. [CTV]. 

🚘 An unidentified driver is facing a charge of dangerous operation after leading to a major pile-up in Westboro in May. At least five cars were involved in the incident after the driver was going 144 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. [CTV]

EVENTS

What to do this weekend

📕 Rideau Hall storytime, Friday: Every Thursday and Friday, United for Literacy volunteers invite the general public, families and youth groups to settle in under the outdoor Reading Tent to read books and to participate in fun literacy activities At Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Dr. Free.  

🐔 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Farm Day, Saturday: Shop from at a local 2SLGBTQIA+ small business farmer’s market including food, artists and makers as well as produce. Music by Dj Del Pilar. Pay what you can family and pal portraits by Adrienne of Strast Media. At Just Food Community Farm, 2391 Pepin Ct. Admission by donation. 

🇮🇳 Ratha Yatra - The Festival of the Chariots, Saturday: Don’t miss this ancient Indian tradition where people from various walks of life come together  in a beautiful demonstration of friendship, appreciation and unity. Ratha Yatra has been celebrated for thousands of years in Jagannatha Puri. At Sandy Hill Community Centre, 250 Somerset St E. Free. 

🏃‍♀️ Mud Girl Run, Saturday: Enter into this uniting and empowering experience called MUDGIRL. A 5 km walk/run with multiple obstacles that's achievable by all. You'll face mud, obstacles and inflatables in an amazing atmosphere surrounded by women of all ages and fitness levels. At Wesley Clover Parks, 401 Corkstown Rd. Registration is $60-$89.

🍺 Gatineau Beerfest, until July 27: The Gatineau Beerfest is bringing over 150 beers from local breweries and abroad, plus local spirits, a wine bar and even some tasty non-alcoholic drinks. At Casino du Lac-Leamy. Prices vary.

🇨🇳 Chinatown Bazaar, Sunday: Ottawa Chinatown is traditionally the cultural hub where a variety of cultures blends and grow, come out to this signature event in the community. At 687 Somerset St. W. Free. 

🔍 Where’s Waldo in Wellington West?, until Sunday: Find Waldo at participating businesses in Wellington West for a chance to win a Waldo prize pack and mini Wellington West shopping spree. Pick up a Where's Waldo passport from a participating business, and collect a stamps. Throughout Wellington West. Free.

🎶 Side by Side Music Festival, until Sunday: An independent music featuring Sorry Snowman, Sun Junkies, book buddies and many more. At 68 Nicholas St. Tickets start at $40. 

🐷 Summer at the Farm, until August 30: The entire experience is outside, enjoying nature, with acres of space to run and play. You can see all the animals, including sheep, cows, rabbits, goats, horses and more. The friendly barn cats are usually a favourite, too. At the Log Farm, 670 Cedarview Rd. Tickets are $12.50. 

CAPITAL EATS

This week in food

🍦 Who doesn’t love ice cream? If you are looking for a more fruitful flavour, check out this shop on Bank Street. 

🍕 The Pizza Safari continues with more great pies of varying styles (including some reader suggestions). (Insiders)

🍴 If you’re looking for some fine dining within the walls of rich history, look no further than a stay at Chateau Montebello.

🍸 Two local spirits that sparkle: Head across the river for some great gin and aperitifs. (Insiders) 

🍾 It’s all fun and games in the village of Old Chelsea. Take a look at the grand opening of this new wonderful space. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• The David Arntfield Recreation Area has officially opened at Centennial Park. [Manotick Messenger]. 

• Easy tips and advice for personal finances with Dollarwise, a free newsletter. Try it out today and get control of your money. [Sponsored]

• Here are some Preston Street patios to visit this summer. [Kitchissippi Times]

• Unitarian House is celebrating its 40th anniversary. [Kitchissippi Times]

• Take a look at this Ottawa police officer and dog who is sweeping the Paris Olympics. [Ottawa Citizen]. 

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

OTTAWA GAMES

Congrats to James, who was the only person this week who knew the Ottawa Guesser was on Craig Henry Drive. Great work!

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