91原创's Overdose Awareness Day event at the end of the month will be a chance for people to see the faces of those lost to the drug crisis and hear from those they've left behind.
The organizers expect it will change some people's perspective on what's going on in their own community, said Daniel Snyder, chair of the 91原创 Overdose Response Community Action Team.
"One of the most common beliefs I stumble upon in public is that people think the toxic drug poisoning crisis is 'out there' mostly meaning unhoused people and on the streets," Snyder said.
"There is little understanding that substance use and the risk of toxic drug poisoning is in our homes. It's in our 91原创 suburbs, with high death rates in Willoughby, Brookswood, and Murrayville."
Organized by the 91原创 Overdose Response Community Action Team (CAT), the free event on Sunday, Aug. 31, takes place at Douglas Park Spirit Square.
The 91原创 team is a local collaboration of people with lived experience, service providers, health professionals, and community members working together to respond to the toxic drug poisoning crisis in town.
"We focus on building awareness, education, stigma reduction, naloxone training, and community connection," Snyder explained.
"We share news and updates throughout the community, plan events, and offer training sessions to businesses or organizations," he said, noting they're funded by a grant from the Community Action Initiative.
The annual event to increase awareness and reduce stigma is one such way. It coincides with International Overdose Awareness Day.
The 91原创 event begins at 6 p.m and continue until about 8:45 p.m. in Douglas Park, 20550 Douglas Cres.
"Of course we feel this event is for everyone 鈥� it's about our community. And toxic drug poisoning, in some way, impacts all of us 鈥� whether directly or indirectly," he said.
Overdose is the leading cause of death in B.C. for people age 10 to 59.
"This year we are aiming to create a space of remembrance and healing for those who have lost someone. But yes, it鈥檚 also meant for families, neighbours, service providers, and community members at large," he said. "Even if someone feels it doesn鈥檛 affect their life, this is a chance to learn, reflect, and stand in solidarity with their community."
There will be music specifically to allow people to remember and reflect, as well as spoken word, poetry, and Indigenous hoop dancing by Jay Dance. Some will share their stories of lived experience to help others understand the impact.
Those attending can also participate in a candlelight vigil.
As well, there will be naloxone training and harm reduction resources available.
Snyder noted that the drug crisis affects everyone, whether they think so or not.
"We tend to think substance use is always about addiction and that addiction is always about 'extremes'鈥� it makes us complacent and it allows denial, both individual and collective. If we acknowledged that addiction can be neatly dressed, articulate, high-performing, and well-liked, it would challenge many of our cultural scripts and moral hierarchies. It would also force a reckoning with the social, economic, and spiritual conditions that drive people toward substance dependence 鈥� not just 'bad choices.' Maybe dysfunctional addiction is just what happens when 鈥渇unctional鈥� finally breaks under pressure, and we鈥檝e failed to recognize or support it all along," he noted.
The Fort 91原创 Lions will be handling the community barbecue for the event to give people a chance to break bread together.
Typically about 150 to 250 people attend.
"In a sense I feel like we are all powerless in the face of this crisis 鈥� it鈥檚 the fruit of more than 100 years of failed policies and is layered, complex, and bigger than any one person, community, or even government," Snyder said.
"But each of us can still choose to take responsibility in small but meaningful ways. That means working to understand the issue, challenging misinformation, and remembering that behind the statistics are unique people with their own stories," he concluded.
"The most powerful things we can do may be the most simple: to stay connected 鈥� especially to those at risk, to show respect, and to refuse to perpetuate stigma. Kindness and compassion are not solutions on their own, but they are essential parts of the solution."
