Join Irene for an author event at Indigo – Sherway Gardens in Toronto, Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
A MEMOIR BY IRENE REILLY
About the Book
In this timely book, Irene generously provides readers with access to her emotional landscape as a mother supporting her eldest son through opioid addiction and ultimate death by fentanyl poisoning. Ohana is also a portrait of persistence, resilience, and the power of community. In it, we witness Reilly navigate the systems, organizations, and individuals that comprise the army fighting endlessly to resolve the opioid crisis and to support those affected by it.
“This is an important book for anyone experiencing this trauma, as well as those trying to support them,” said Angie Hamilton, Executive Director at Families for Addiction Recovery. “There is something remarkable about mothers who have lost a child who raise awareness and advocate so others will not face the same tragedy.”
Marina Nemat, author of Prisoner of Tehran and After Tehran, said: “In this remarkable book, Irene Reilly walks us through her journey of love, loss, and grief. She puts her vulnerability as a mother on the page and shows us that human resiliency can push darkness away so that hope can grow. Heartfelt and honest, I highly recommend it.”
About the Author
Irene is a Scottish Canadian mother, writer, and advocate. Born in Glasgow, she immigrated to Canada, raised her two sons in Hawaii while working in the hospitality industry, and now calls Toronto home. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies Creative Writing Program, and a facilitator for the Writers Collective of Canada.
Irene lost her son to a fentanyl poisoning and became a powerful advocate in building awareness of Canada’s opioid crisis with her Flags of Hope Toronto initiative. She has partnered with Moms Stop the Harm, Families for Addiction Recovery, Black CAP, and International Overdose Awareness Day to raise awareness and end the stigma associated with substance-use harms and related toxicity.
While the overdose toll is often presented as just numbers, Irene shines a light into its darkest corners, offering unique insights earned from the tragedy of losing her son Roger, ‘somebody’s someone’, to overdose. … We should care like we are all family; in Ohana, Irene shows us how.”
— JOHN RYAN
CEO, INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY
Reader Reviews
See what readers are saying about OHANA: Love, Grief and Hope in the Time of the Opioid Crisis, and share your own thoughts on Goodreads.
The collection of memories she shares of Rogers’ story brings to life not only the trauma of loss associated with the opioid crisis, but also connects us to Roger in a powerful way…
Resources
