International Overdose Awareness Day — August 31

We are the walking wounded who carry love and grief together. Today we remember, reduce stigma, and choose compassion.

Quick Stats (BC & Canada)

• 2,511 British Columbians died from unregulated toxic drug poisonings in 2023 (~7 per day).
• Fentanyl is present in the vast majority of fatalities in recent years.
• Since BC’s public health emergency (2016), the toll continues to climb—every life is a family, a story, a future.

Overdose is preventable when we act: carry naloxone, learn the signs, and check on people you love.

How this Day Began

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) began in 2001 in Melbourne, Australia, started by social worker Sally J. Finn alongside a Salvation Army needle-exchange BBQ to remember lives lost and confront stigma. Since 2012, the campaign has been coordinated by the Penington Institute and now spans the globe each year on August 31.

2025 marks the 25th annual observance of IOAD.

Where We’re Gathering on August 31 (Metro Vancouver & Vancouver Island)

Vancouver – Oppenheimer Park & 300 Block of E. Hastings (DTES)

• Time: From noon (12:00 p.m.) into the afternoon/evening
• Details: Community remembrance, march/gathering led by local groups (e.g., WAHRS, VANDU) with ceremony and BBQ.

Burnaby – Civic Square (6100 Willingdon Ave)

• Time: 1:00–4:00 p.m.
• Hosted by: Burnaby Community Action Team (BCAT)
• What’s happening: Remembrance ceremony, resource booths, story-sharing, entertainment, and more.

City of Vancouver – Civic Observance

• Date: Sunday, August 31 (City calendar listing for IOAD)
• Location: City Hall / civic observance noted on the municipal events calendar.

Vancouver Island – Memorial Stations (Aug 25–31)

• Purple chair memorial exhibits at 18 Island Health service locations (Campbell River, Comox Valley, Nanaimo, Oceanside, Port Alberni, Duncan, Westshore, Victoria).
• Community events on/around Aug 31 include Campbell River, Duncan, Parksville (candlelight vigil), Sooke, Victoria (evening vigil), and more.

Note on Kitsilano: In recent years, families (including Moms Stop the Harm) have hosted a powerful memorial at Kitsilano Beach with ribbons, a labyrinth, and lock memorials. If a Kitsilano gathering is announced for 2025, I’ll update this section—watch local organizers’ channels.

We All Know Someone. Choose to Help.

Nearly every family knows someone touched by addiction. Please help us be part of the solution:

• Don’t judge. Addiction is often rooted in trauma and grief.
• Don’t use alone. If you must, use a buddy, a supervised site, or a virtual spotting service.
• Carry & learn naloxone (Narcan). Free kits and quick training save lives.
• Reach out. Check in on people you love. Listen. Offer rides, food, or time.

To everyone grieving: you are not alone. We remember, we act, and we keep loving—together.

#IOAD2025 #EndOverdose #OneBigFamily #DrivenByHope