Throughout the country, dozens of events are being held on August 31 to honour those who have been lost to drug overdose and to raise awareness of the toxic drug poisoning crisis. The following list of events are just some of the initiatives our friends and partners are holding to acknowledge this day:
ENSEMBLE:
In collaboration with John Howard Society, ENSEMBLE is having a free community BBQ on August 31st from 11am-3pm for International Overdose Awareness Day (80 Weldon St, Moncton). We will also be doing free Naloxone training! Individuals can submit names of loved ones lost to the toxic drug supply to [email protected] and we will display them on hearts to commemorate them.
ENSEMBLE is also hosting a candlelight vigil at city hall on August 31st at 8pm. They will read out names, light candles and take a moment to collectively grieve.
Click here for details.
Location: 80 Weldon Street, Moncton, BC.
The Powerview-Pine Falls/Sagkeeng Harm Reduction Network
The Powerview-Pine Falls/Sagkeeng Harm Reduction Network and the Sagkeeng Health Centre Wellness Team are holding a 4-day community event for overdose prevention.
Sagkeeng Arena Complex and Sagkeeng Arbor
Aug 23 – 26, daily from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (see poster for details)
Moms Stop The Harm:
Moms Stop the Harm encourages members to consider a variety of actions in your community on August 31 to mark IOAD 2022. These include:
- Make, wear and distribute purple ribbons.
- Organize or participate in an IOAD event.
- Leave an empty purple chair for your loved one. Take photos and share on social media.
- Demonstrate what a regulated, safe supply could look like. You can do so by ordering a demonstrator box to display at your event. Order by Aug 10, 2022 by sending your name, address and event to [email protected].
Check out the different communities they’ll be in on August 31 here!
Ryan’s Hope and Moms Stop The Harm
Ryan’s Hope and Moms Stop The Harm will be meeting at City Hall for a flag raising, proclamation from the Mayor, and a short ceremony of remembrance. Organizations will be on hand to hand out harm reduction kits, and naloxone. 9:30 a.m. at Barrie City Hall, 70 Collier St.
Ryan’s Hope and Moms Stop The Harm will meet in honour of those we have lost for a time of remembrance, celebration, and mourning. Speeches, a moment of silence, and a candlelight vigil will be held. If you would like your loved one honoured, email your photo and memory to [email protected]. 8 p.m. at Barrie City Hall, 70 Collier St.
United Way Simcoe Muskoka
To align with Overdose Awareness Day, United Way Simcoe Muskoka is hosting a documentary screening of Flood: The Overdose Epidemic in Canada, which tells the human story behind the overdose epidemic. Following the screening will be a panel discussion with local experts and people with lived experience to shine a light further on this local crisis. It is a free event, tickets here: https://tickets.algonquintheatre.ca/TheatreManager/1/online?performance=2226
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. show starts at 7 p.m. at Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville, 37 Main Street East.
Sandy Hill Community Health Centre
Please join us for guest speakers, narcan training and tabling by related organization! 11:30 am at 120 Lisgar st – Human Rights Monument.
Chilliwack Community Action Team and Shxwha:y Village
Mountainside Harm Reduction Society is partnered with the Chilliwack Community Action Team and Shxwha:y Village to host an event on Wednesday August 31st from 12pm – 4pm. Resources, memorial activities, drug checking and consumption services, support groups, free food trucks & a live butterfly release will be happening at 44680 Schweyey Road.
Blood Ties Four Directions – Yukon
Blood Ties Four Directions will be holding a space where the community can share memories and hopes for change in a supportive sharing circle. We will be providing a memorial tree for those who have passed and candles. We will also be having a few speeches and introducing the “Getting to Tomorrow dialogue”. We will be providing some stew and bannock for refreshments. Our event will take place on the 31st from 11am-2pm (6189 6th Avenue Whitehorse, Yukon).
The East Kootenay Network of People who Use Drugs
The East Kootenay Network of People who Use Drugs will be hosting a Candlelight Vigil in honour of all of our dead friends at 6:00pm 🕕, Wednesday August 31, at Street Angels.
The East Kootenay Network of People who Use Drugs will be hosting our 3rd annual protest 🪧 in Cranbrook. We will meet at ANKORS at 12:00pm 🕛. From there we will march through down town Cranbrook, to City Hall.
Black-CAP
Join us on 31 August 2022 as we raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of drug related deaths. It’s a time to remember our loved ones and a time to act! Learn how to recognize and respond to an Overdose. Naloxone training and kits are available. 12 pm – 4 pm at Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Center (854 Bloor Street, West).
Avenue B
Avenue B will be hosting a Harm Reduction Fair at Kings Square from 10 am – 2 pm with tables from Moms Stop the Harm, SUNAR, Avenue B (including Naloxone training), Ridgewood, Riverstone Recovery, and more. 100 King St, Saint John.
ANKORS:
ANKORS, the Rural Empowered Drug Users Network, Mental Health and Substance Use, Circle of Indigenous Nations Society, Nelson Fentanyl Task Force, Freedom Quest, The HUB, Kootenay Boundary Supported Recovery, and other local resource providers and groups will be hosting a Vigil from 1 pm – 2 pm, and a Knowledge Walk from 2 pm – 3 pm in Cottonwood Falls Park, Nelson.
Coalition of Substance Users of the North (CSUN) and Community Partners
CSUN and community partners are inviting the community to attend their event on August 31st from 12 pm – 3 pm. The event will take place at the front entrance of the walking bridge on Front Street. They will be hosting an opening ceremony, open mic, memorial flower drop, Elder/partner/honourary guest acknowledgement, and closing ceremony. Learn more about the event here.
Maple Ridge Street Outreach Society
Join the Maple Ridge Street Outreach Society for a Pancake brunch to honour and remember loved ones lost to the Fentanyl poisoning epidemic. The event will be a space to share food and stories to remember our loved ones and call for actions. The brunch is from 10 am – 12 pm at Neighbourhood House, 11739-223 Ave in Maple Ridge. Learn more about this event here.
Mission Overdose Community Action Team
Mission Overdose Community Action Team will be hosting a memorial art walk from 4 pm – 7 pm. Please meet at 1st Ave in Mission. Art will be displayed on First Ave. with support of the Mission Downtown Business Association. Live Music, Resources, Refreshments, Empty Chair Campaign, Naloxone training, conversation. Memorial open mic & guest speakers 5:30pm. Learn more about this event here.
ROAR – Reducing Overdose: Abbotsford Response
ROAR will be hosting an event from 11 am – 2 pm at Jubilee Park. There will be Keynote speakers, Naloxone training, information booths, interactive art activities, and food trucks. Learn more about the event here.
Sunshine Coast Community Action Initiative
The Sunshine Coast Community Action Initiative is hosting an event from 3-6 PM at Hackett Park in Sechelt, BC. Enter the park at the corner of Ocean Avenue and Dolphin Street. The event will bring recognition to the lives lost to overdose and call for action from government to work harder to decrease the fatalities from this crisis. The event will include speakers, music, local resources, and an intentional space to memorialize those who have been lost.
Memorial for Overdose Outrage
The Memorial will start between 1:30pm until about 3 pm. Please meet in the courtyard (churchayard next to 955 Queen St E).
CN Tower Illumination
In honour of IOAD, the CN Tower will be illuminated in purple for all to see.
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre
Join the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre from 11 am – 3 pm for their event.
More Events in Your Community
To find more events being held in your community, check out these comprehensive lists:
https://www.overdoseday.com/canada/
https://www.momsstoptheharm.com/ioad
Share Your Event
To submit a public event to be listed on our webpage or email newsletter, email [email protected] with your event time, location and details.
