The 6th Annual We Remember Them remembrance event brought community members to the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market on March 28, 2026, to honour lives lost to the opioid crisis. The event, which ran from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., provided a space for families to grieve and offered residents direct access to local support services.
This initiative was founded in 2021 by Gelja Sheardown in memory of her husband, Barrett Warwick, who died of a fatal fentanyl overdose. During the event, participants honoured their loved ones by releasing carnations into the Sydenham River, while a memory board displayed photos of those lost to substance use.
While the gathering served as a memorial, it also acted as a hub for local groups to share information and resources. Representatives from Grey Bruce Public Health, United Way of Bruce Grey, Safe N Sound, the Grey Bruce Drug and Alcohol Strategy, and the Supportive Outreach Services team were all present to engage with the community.
Recent data indicates a decline in local overdose statistics, with Grey Bruce Public Health reporting that opioid-related fatalities in the region fell 77 per cent from 26 in 2024 to six in 2025. Similarly, Grey County saw a 72 per cent decrease in suspected opioid-related deaths during that same period. Nationally, the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario noted a 34 per cent decrease in suspect drug-related deaths across the province between December 2025 and February 2026 compared to four years prior.
Local leaders point to initiatives like the Wellness and Recovery Centre, operated by Brightshores Health System, as contributors to these trends. Since opening in June 2024, the centre has served over 2,300 clients, offering withdrawal-management and relapse-prevention beds. Despite these improvements, organizers emphasize that significant challenges remain. Francesca Dobbyn, executive director of the United Way of Bruce Grey, stated that addressing the crisis further will require continued focus on housing and income supports, as well as ongoing discussions regarding safe supply and consumption.
