An International Overdose Awareness Day event is set for Thursday, Aug. 31 in Centennial Park.
Organizers are members of the Moms Stop The Harm (MSTH) group, Island Community Services (ICS) and Salt Spring Safely.
The event has been organized to increase awareness around issues related to overdose and will be held next Friday between 2 and 5 p.m. in the park.
Plans to mark International Overdose Awareness Day on Salt Spring this Thursday, Aug. 31 have been solidified after an original announcement last week.
A gathering will be held in Centennial Park between 2 and 5 p.m. with a variety of activities taking place.
“There will be three public talks, a sharing circle where we can introduce ourselves and say why we have come, a DJ playing music at a reasonable volume and a shared moment of silence for the people we have lost,” explains information from the organizers.
People who have lost someone to overdose or drug poisoning are invited to bring a photograph of their loved one.
From 1 to 2 p.m. a Yoga For The People session will take place. Led by trauma-informed teachers, the embodied practice is considered an important tool in the healing toolbox, say organizers.
“We recognize this can be a challenging and potentially triggering area. We will have some of our Ganges Goodwill Ambassadors available to debrief and hold space should the need arise.”
People who want to get involved or have questions are invited to email organizers: Karme Leroux (Moms Stop the Harm), karma154ssi@gmail.com; Shae Houston (ICS substance use youth and family counsellor) shouston@ssics.ca; or MacPherson at wmacpherson@ssics.ca.