August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), a global event held each year to raise awareness and end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died, and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends left behind. Globally, events are held to rouse action and discussion about evidence-based overdose prevention and drug policy.
Throughout BC, events will be held leading up and on International Overdose Awareness Day. Please join in activities and actions near your community.
If you would like to add an event, send it to [email protected]
Abbotsford
When: August 31, 2022, 11.00 – 2.00pm & 6:00 – 8.30pm
Where: Jubilee Park Day & Mill Lake Shelter #4 Evening
We are standing together with other resources that serve the Fraser Valley to bring friends, family and professionals impacted by the opiate epidemic to raise awareness and honour the lives lost by overdose. We want to “end the stigma, end the silence” and to support our community to reach for “no more stigma, no more shame”.
Abbotsford Addictions Centre and other programs of Archway Community Services are collaborating with two events one day/one evening: Standing Together with ROAR – Abbotsford Community Action Team’s Day Event at Jubilee Park & LIFE Recovery’s Evening Event at Mill Lake for people that can attend only one or both. We will also be honouring first responders. There will be purple chairs supporting Moms Stop The Harm Empty Chair Campaign, candles to light in honour of lost ones, flowers, a mindful area to reflect, booths, resources, naloxone training and a chance to connect with others including Telecare, Abbotsford Hospice, S.A.R.A. Mission Friendship Centre Society, Impact and others. Come add to the light.
Burnaby
When: August 31, 2022, 1PM-4PM
Where: Neighbourhood Church (formerly Southside Community Church), 7135 Walker Avenue, Burnaby BC
Please join us on August 31st to raise awareness & honour the lives lost due to the overdose crisis. We will have special guest speakers, moment of silence & tribute, naloxone training (3-4pm) and networking with community service providers. This is a free event and everyone is welcome. Hosted by the Burnaby Community Action Team.
Click here to view event poster
Campbell River
When: August 31, 2022, 11am-2pm
Where: Shoppers Row, Campbell River, BC
The Campbell River Community Action Team (CAT) is hosting an event in Spirit Square to remember and honour those lost in the ongoing drug poisoning crisis. The event will take place on Aug. 31 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and will feature education stations, pop-up naloxone training, community-based art and memorial projects as well as resource tables.
At the event, the Vancouver Island Mental Health Society (VIMHS) will be introducing their new drug checking service, which is a service offered in partnership with the University of Victoria.
Click here to view event poster
Chilliwack
When: August 31, 2022, 12pm-4pm
Where: 44680 Schweyey Rd, Chilliwack, BC
- Welcome from Chief Robert Gladstone
- Honour and Prayer Songs – Courtney Russel
- Blessing of the Food & Free Food Truck Fare
- Live Butterfly Release & Healing Song
- Open Mic: Sharing stories of grief, loss and survival. Beginning with Lorraine Brice, surviving mother of anvoverdose victim
- Peer Support Group
- Healing Hearts Group
- “Against All Odds”- All-ages basketball skills clinic With Cory Breland
- Drop-in b-ball game
Hosted by Shxwha:y Village in Partnership with the Chilliwack Community Action Team.
Click here to view event poster
Delta
When: August 28th, 2022, 10-4PM
Where: Ladner Farmers Market, Between Delta St. and Elliot St., 48th Ave. Delta, BC
Join us in gathering to remember the many lives lost and impacted by the poisonous drug supply crisis. Day will feature Naloxone Training, Harm Reduction and dialogue to stop stigma.
Participate in the “Stigma is____” Challenge to help bring awareness to stigma and win prizes provided by Tsawwassen First Nations Artists.
Hosted by the Delta Community Action Team
Click here to view event poster
Duncan
When: August 31, 2022, 11:30-4:30PM
Where: 124 Canada Ave, Charles Hoey Park
The Cowichan Community Action Team (CAT) will be hosting an IOAD event. This event will include:
- information/resource booths from community outreach partners
- peer-led Naloxone training and distribution of Naloxone kits
- live music on the topics of addiction and mental health
- a vigil tent (with battery-operated candles, poems of remembrance, photos of lost loved ones)
- a peer art display on the theme of harm reduction
- community speakers
- awareness: signs with statistics to educate the public
- resources: at all booths (specific to that organization’s services) and a grief resource guide and a local survival guide at the info tent
- House of Commons petition for a Health-Based Approach to the Toxic Drug Crisis (continuing Bill C-216 advocacy momentum for a future national bill)
Click here to view event poster
Fort Saint John
When: August 31, 2022, 10AM-3PM
Location: 9523 100 St, Fort St John, BC
Hosted by the Community Action Team, the day will include a range of open house activities including naloxone training, free community lunch, and a candlelight vigil, along with mask painting, crafting, poetry, and music.
Click here to view event poster
Hope
When: August 31, 2022, 11AM-2PM
Location: Hope Memorial Park – The corner of Wallace and 4th Avenue
We are planning on bringing overdose awareness to our community in our local park and downtown core. The Community Action Team in Hope is partnered with Hope & Area Transition Society as well as Fraser Health to put together this event. We will have a spot for celebrating lost loved ones, by writing their names down on purple angel and heart cards, and hanging them up for others to see. There will be a lovely door prize as well as Wildflower seeds for the public to take. We will also be offering on-site Naloxone training to the public. This event will run from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm and we will be set up in Memorial Park on the corner of Wallace and 4th Ave. We look forward to seeing you all!
Kamloops
When: August 31, 2022, 10AM – 1PM
Where: Canada, 315 Yellowhead Hwy, Kamloops, BC
Q’wemtsín Health Society will be hosting an event in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st. The event will be held at Moccasin Square Garden from 10:00 am through to 1:00 pm with special guest speaker: Rockery Brady. There will be information booths, naloxone training, lunch and door prizes. Everyone is welcome to this free event!
When: August 31, 2022, 7pm
Where: Paramount Theatre, 503 Victoria St, Kamloops, BC
This event will be hosted at the Paramount theatre where we will be screening the much anticipated film featured at the Vancouver Film Festival titled, Love in the Time of Fentanyl. We will be joined by the film makers for an intimate panel discussion for those who would like to stay.
There will be a panel discussion, resource tables and drug checking at this event. Tickets are free and available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/addictions-matters-kamloops-international-overdose-awareness-day-event-tickets-395983777137
Click here to view event poster
Kelowna
When: August 31, 2022, 7pm
Where: Kerry Park, 1480 Mill St, Kelowna, BC
A time to remember. Live music and videos, Naloxone training and drug testing. Candle light vigil. Hosted by Moms Stop the Harm.
Langley
When: August 31, 2022, 6pm
Where: Douglas Park – Spirit Square, 0550 Douglas Crescent #4B6, Langley, BC
We will gather at Douglas Park for a memorial & awareness walk through downtown Langley City and around Cascades Casino fountain and then back to Douglas Park through McBurney lane.
At Douglas Park, a community BBQ will be hosted by the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society. Community leaders, peers and loved ones will share from the stage. Community agencies, educators and resources will be available throughout the park. Free naloxone training and kits, as well as drug testing will also be available.
A candlelight vigil will be held at dusk.
Maple Ridge
When: August 31st, 2022, 10AM-12PM
Where: Neighbourhood House, 11739 223 St.,Maple Ridge, BC
The Maple Ridge Street Outreach Society is holding a Memorial Pancake Brunch for people to be able to share food and stories to remember loved ones who have died during the overdose crisis and to call for action.
Mission
When: August 31, 2022 4PM-7PM
Where: Downtown Mission
International Overdose Awareness Day Memorial Artwalk
Hosted by the Mission Overdose Community Action Team (MOCAT), with support of the Mission Downtown Business Association.
Throughout August, MOCAT is hosting art dialogue sessions at the Mission Friendship Centre and other locations, creating colourful abstract artworks, and connecting on this vital, life-saving topic. First Avenue businesses will be featuring the Beyond Abstracts Community Art Show pieces on August 31st.
There will be live music, resource tables, refreshments, naloxone training and conversation.
Musqueam
When: August 31, 3PM – 9PM
Where: Musqueam Cultural Centre, 4000 Musqueam Ave, Vancouver, BC
Musqueam’s NNADAP and Health Department are presenting our second harm reduction event of the year on August 31.
As part of International Overdose Awareness Day, there will be a daytime community event with guest speakers, Mr. Bannock catering, door prizes and vendors. Everyone that attends will receive a gift card. Click here for more event information
Nanaimo
When: August 31st, 2022, 10AM – 4PM
Where: Maffeo Sutton Park, 100 Comox Road, Nanaimo BC
Join us Wednesday August 31st at Maffeo Sutton Park starting at 10am for workshops (2) with AVI, followed by a main event from 1 to 4pm in honour of those who have died or suffered harm due to the ongoing lethal drug poisoning crisis.Highlights: Welcome and prayer on behalf of Snuneymuxw First Nations, City of Nanaimo International Overdose Awareness Day Proclamation, speakers and story sharing, pop-up resource village, Naloxone training, dialogue, art in the park and more!Gather at Maffeo Sutton Park Main Area:
- 10am to 10:45 Building Strength and Resilience Skills Workshop with AVI (gift cards for peers)
- 11am to 11:45 Building Strength and Resilience Skills Workshop with AVI (gift cards for peers)
- 12pm: Pop-up Resource Village Set-up
- 1pm: Snuneymuxw Prayer and Welcome
- Reading of the Nanaimo Proclamation
- Canadian Drug Policy Coalition Report and Recommendations for Nanaimo
- Other speakers!
- 2pm Special Guest: Peter Hudson
- Naloxone training with ABC First Aid and AVI Health Centre
- Art in the Park with Edy Graham and Snuneymuxw First Nations
Click here to view event poster
Nelson
When: August 31st, 2022, 1PM – 3PM
Where: Cottonwood Falls, 199 Carbonate St, Nelson, BC
- Vigil and ceremony with local Indigenous Elders and cultural supports. Community sharing circle with presentations and speeches to remember loved ones who have passed from overdose.
- Education event. Community service organizations will provide resources and training to the public.
New Westminster
When: August 31, 2022, 6-7:30PM
Where: Hyack Square, 800 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC V3M 5V2
A vigil will be taking place at Hyack Square, beside Kelly O’Bryan’s Restaurant and near New Westminster SkyTrain Station. Let’s join together to show support for those impacted, to remember loved ones lost and help prevent overdoses.
Port Alberni
When: August 31st, 2022, 7PM-9PM
Where: Trinity Anglican + Lutheran Church. 4766 Angus St, Port Alberni BC
The Port Alberni Community Action Team is holding a Town Hall Meeting. This event is open to the public; the topic of discussion will be about creating positive solutions for Port Alberni with regard to the toxic drug crisis.
Click here to view event poster
Port Moody
When: August 31st 2022
Where: Pioneer Memorial Park, 275 Knowle St, Port Moody, BC
“International Overdose Awareness Day: Creative Expression of Social Justice”
The event focus will be arts of all sorts, a creative expression of social justice. We will have artists showcasing their artwork in many different mediums. The themes of the art will be around mental health, stigma, and substance use or misuse. There will be live artists as well, and a community engagement project. Along with the artists we will have service providers coming out to hand out resources, offer onsite naloxone training, open up discussions and educate those around harm reduction, and break down stigmas surrounding. Hosted by the Tri-Cities Community Action Team.
Prince George
When: August 31, 2022, 1-5PM, Vigil 7:30-9PM
Where: Veteran’s Plaza
1-5PM: Join us for a day centered around awareness and education, a time dedicated in remembrance of the ones we love. Help us break the chains of stigma so others can receive the support they need. Harm reduction education. Naloxone training and take home kits. Knowledge sharing around lived experience and safer substance use. Remembrance crafts and drumming.
7:30-9 pm: Candlelight Vigil at the Veterans Plaza
Port Moody
When: August 27, 2022 @ 11am-3pm
Where: Pioneer Memorial Park, 275 Knowle St, Port Moody, BC
The event focus will be arts of all sorts, a creative expression of social justice. We will have artists showcasing their artwork in many different mediums. The themes of the art will be around mental health, stigma, and substance use or misuse. There will be live artists as well, and a community engagement project. Along with the artists we will have service providers coming out to hand out resources, offer onsite naloxone training, open up discussions and educate those around harm reduction, and break down stigmas surrounding.
Powell River (Tla’amin Nation)
Location: Located at the former soccer fieldhouse in Tla’amin Nation, HWY 101
Quesnel
When: August 31, 2022, 8AM – 11AM
Where: Quesnel – Royal Canadian Legion (Parking Lot) 262 Kinchant Street
Pancake Breakfast! Honoring our people in memorial of David Baker. For those we have lost, those who we are at risk of losing and those we have lost due to the war on people who use drugs. This will include speakers, a drum circle, Naloxone training and distribution and a large visual display.Pancake Breakfast! Honoring our people in memorial of David Baker. For those we have lost, those who we are at risk of losing and those we have lost due to the war on people who use drugs. This will include speakers, a drum circle, Naloxone training and distribution and a large visual display.
When: August 31, 2022, 12PM
Where: Front St. Quesnel BC – Entrance to the walking bridge
Hosted by Coalition of Substance Users of the North (CSUN). Community engagement for education and awareness of the current OD Crisis in BC Canada.
- Naloxone training and distribution
- Indigenous Community partners drumming/opening ceremony.
- Displays of art in memory of our lost loved ones.
- Grief and healing Counselors.
- Prayer and tobacco ties.
- Memorial flower drop, education and awareness through displays and guest speakers.
Hosted and initiated by people who do or have used drugs. Education by way of knowledge translation products and guest speaker. Food and community comradery building opportunities to create allyships for future collaboration and community response.
Sechelt
When: August 31st, 2022, 4PM
Where: Hackett Park, 5765 Dolphin St, Sechelt, BC
Hosted by the Sunshine Coast Community Action Team. The SCCAT is planning an event at Hackett Park in Sechelt to create a space for those to come together, share stories and remember those that have been lost from the overdose crisis.
If you are interested in learning more, volunteering or speaking at the event, please email [email protected]
Sooke
When: August 31, 2022, 6:30pm
Where: Ed Macgregor Park, Sooke, BC
Sooke is holding its first International Overdose Awareness Day. Maia Tait, the Mayor of the District of Sooke will make a proclamation recognizing August 31st as International Overdose Awareness Day. We will have a land acknowledgment by T’Sou-ke First Nation which will open the evening. There will be stories and poems, lots of music by various volunteer artists, Naloxone training, and various resources participating and displaying their services. The evening will finish with a candle light vigil and “say their name” to honour and remember the people whom we’ve lost. We are excited to get this off the ground this year.
Surrey
When: August 31st, 2022, 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
Where: Holland Park, 13428 Old Yale Rd, Surrey, BC
Join us to remember and memorialize the lives lost and those impacted by the overdose crisis.
There will be opportunities to connect with peers, write a letter, share stories or a picture. We will be
creating a string banner with stories and pictures of loved ones.
This event will be held in partnership with Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association.
Phoenix Society’s Food Truck (Phoenix Flame BBQ) will be providing lunch. RSVP required to reserve
lunch wrist band.
Please RSVP via email at [email protected] or text 604 351 3282
Terrace
When: August 31, 2022, 10am
Where: George Little Park, 4633-4603 Park Ave, Terrace, BC
We will be present with ‘Moms Stop the Harm’ information as well as Northern Health with Naloxone Training/Information tables. ICMT (Integrated Case Management Team) which works with community members who struggle with substance misuse. We also have collaboration with Ksan for on site counselling. We will be giving out free hamburgers on this day and having an open mic for community to share publicly. A memorial site will also be designated to display pictures of loved ones lost due to opioid crisis. A matriarch from the traditional unceded territory of the Tsimshian will also be honoring us with a traditional acknowledgment
Vancouver
When: August 26, 2022, 7PM
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC
Candlelight and Coffin Walk: There will be a coffin for every year with the number of overdose deaths.
Vernon
When: August 31st, 2022, 5PM
Where: Museum & Archives of Vernon, 3009 32 Avenue, Vernon, BC
5:00pm: Opening Ceremony
5:15pm: Community Meal
6:30pm: Film: Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy which follows film
This drop-in event is free to attend. Please note that seating is limited for the film so please arrive early to ensure a spot.
Victoria
When: August 27, 2022, 11AM – 4PM
Where: Broadmead Shopping Center, 777 Royal Oak Dr, Victoria, BC
Pop Up Booth at Starbucks – Education, Awareness & Naloxone Training
When: August 28, 2022, 11am – 4pm
Where: Uptown, 3440 Saanich Rd, Victoria, BC
Pop Up Booth – Education, Awareness & Naloxone Training
When: August 31, 2022, 5PM
Where: Centennial Square, 1 Centennial Square, Victoria, BC
Let’s Get Loud Protest! Bring signage, pots and pans. We will be marching to the Ministry of Health Building.
When: August 31, 2022, 7:30PM
Where: Steps of Legislature, 501 Belleville St, Victoria, BC V8V 2L8
Candlelight Vigil – featuring words and music of remembrance.
White Rock
When: August 31st, 2022, Starts at 5:00pm
Where: White Rock Pier & Promenade
Hosted by the South Surrey Tides of Change Community Action Team.
- A memorial for those who have lost their life to overdose
- A March down the Promenade
- Information on local resources/supports
- Free Naloxone Training
Click here to view event poster
Williams Lake
When: August 31st, 2022, 10:30AM – 3PM
Where: Borland St. &, 7 Ave N, Williams Lake, BC
Hosted by the Williams Lake Community Action Team. On Secwepemc Territory. In solidarity to remember those we lost. Open mic to share stories, poems or songs of personal loss. Special musical performance by Lady Knox
