'Overdose awareness anthem' released by London, Ont. musician
Powerful lyrics written by Sarah Smith that go with an equally powerful song about addiction, overdose deaths and hope in the face of hopelessness.
“I didn’t want to pass in vain, please keep on speaking my name.”
The song, ‘We are Loved’ is an anthem for addiction, synonymous with the struggle felt by so many.
Written and performed by Smith, who hails from London, Ont., the song details the story of Windsor’s Christy Soulliere and her son, Austin, who died in 2022 of fentanyl poisoning at the age of 27.
“We want you hear that song and immediately, you're thinking of overdose awareness, and it's just bringing that attention, very much needed attention,” said Soulliere.
The song and accompanying music video was released Monday, on what would have been Austin’s 29th birthday.
“You never get over losing a child. You learn to go with it and find ways to help you get through it,” said Soulliere.
But it’s the story behind the song that brought together two like-minded people in Soulliere and Smith.
A while back, Smith, who now resides in British Columbia, did a call out on social media, asking fans for stories she could write about.
Soulliere reached out, the two bonded over the issue and then wrote the song together.
“I want to shine a light on Christy's story because it's not just Christy’s story, it’s happening everywhere all over the world,” said Smith. “We're losing our young people and we're losing them fast.”
When putting the music video together, Smith did another call-out for pictures of people who lost family members to the opioid epidemic.
They received more than they could fit into the video.
“It's sad. It's just that shows the reality that we are losing these beautiful people too young,” said Smith.
Soulliere said the song still makes her cry, as she moves through her grief.
“But towards the end, it just gives me hope,” said said.
It comes at a time when the statistics around opioid addiction paint a bleak picture. According to a recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the incidence of opioid deaths in Canada doubled over a three year period between 2019 and 2021.
It’s hoped others will hear the message of hope, love and support in the song and try to break the cycle.
“Maybe bringing some hope and healing to people and maybe stopping other people, maybe before they do their last hit,” said Smith, who is also a recovering addict. She hopes the song also helps remove the stigma around opioid addiction.
“If we can love each other through this and support each other and lean on one another, then we can all get through it,” said Smith. “Because we are all loved, like the song says.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Police say toxic drugs are circulating through northeastern Ontario
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.