Parksville Qualicum Beach residents gathered to remember on International Overdose Awareness Day (Aug. 31).
Oceanside Community Action Team and Moms Stop the Harm organized the event in the picnic shelter area of Parksville Community Park.
The afternoon's keynote speaker was Chris Bigelow-Nuttal, clinical addictions nurse leader at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
Elder Jim Bob from Nanoose First Nation (Snaw-naw-as) opened the event and Qualicum First Nation Chief Michael Recalma was in attendance.
Other speakers included Gord Johns, member of parliament for Courtenay-Alberni, Independent MLA Adam Walker, Scott Harrison, Qualicum Beach town councillor, Jovonne Johnson, executive director of Risebridge and Jess, who shared her journey out of addiction.
There was also a musical performance by Kaylie, 14, who lost her father in 2021.
Island Health harm reduction specialists had a table to educate about harm reduction.
Those who lost loved ones came up to share during the evening candlelight vigil.
Organizers thanked Save-On-Foods for supplying snacks and refreshments, as well as Starbucks for supplying coffee.
The BC Coroners Service recorded 192 suspected unregulated drug deaths across the province in July 2024.
More than 14,000 people have died since the B.C. government declared the public health emergency in April 2016.
