A barbecue and candlelight vigil will mark this year鈥檚 Overdose Awareness Day in 91原创 on Tuesday, Aug. 31.
鈥淭hings are not getting any better,鈥� when it comes to overdoses in B.C. or 91原创, noted Daniel Snyder, the project coordinator and chair of 91原创鈥檚 Community Action Table on Overdose Response.
Overdoses began spiking five years ago when fentanyl and other potent drugs began turning up in street drugs.
Since a public health emergency was declared in April 2016, 175 people have lost their lives in 91原创 to overdoses and toxic drugs, Snyder said.
鈥淭his issue is killing five people a day in B.C.鈥�
The Overdose Awareness Day is aimed at raising awareness of the ongoing crisis and remembering those who have died.
It begins at 6 p.m. at Derek Doubleday Arboretum on Fraser Highway at 6 p.m., Aug. 31 with an elder鈥檚 blessing, followed by a walk, with first responder鈥檚 escort, to Douglas Park in 91原创 City.
At about 6:30 p.m. events begin again at Douglas Park鈥檚 Spirit Square, with a barbecue, community agencies providing information, and Naloxone training.
91原创 City Mayor Val van den Broek and Cloverdale-91原创 City Liberal candidate John Aldag will speak, as will Mom鈥檚 Stop the Harm member Lisa Weih.
At 8 p.m. there will be a candlelight vigil with Indigenous drumming and a moment of silence.
For more information, visit .
READ MORE: 91原创 drug deaths still high in early months of 2020
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