City of Peterborough Marks International Overdose Awareness Day

Peterborough, ON – The City of Peterborough joins communities across Canada and around the world in remembering the thousands of lives lost to drug overdose on International Overdose Awareness Day that takes place on August 31, 2025. 

Mayor Jeff Leal has issued the following statement on International Overdose Awareness Day: 

“International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, reduce stigma, and remember the friends, family, and community members we’ve lost. The overdose crisis doesn’t just shatter families; it fractures our entire community.”

Moms Stop the Harm and Peterborough Aids Resource Network will hold a flag-raising ceremony on Wednesday, August 20 at 10 a.m. at City Hall, 500 George St. N. A purple flag will be raised in memory of those lost to drug poisoning and in recognition of the grief carried by their loved ones.

A Community Memorial and Awareness Event will be held at Confederation Square, across the street from City Hall, on Friday, August 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.