On June 3 and 4, the Comox Valley will welcome Lisa Lapointe as the keynote speaker discussing evidence-based information on the impacts of unregulated drugs.
Lapointe served as BC’s Chief Coroner from 2011 to early 2024. Under her leadership, the Coroners Service received the inaugural Premier’s Award for Evidence-Based Design for its analysis and timely reporting of data on the province’s illicit drug toxicity deaths.
“Community Conversations – Understanding the Toxic Drug Crisis” is organized by representatives from the Community Action Team (CAT), Island Health, Courtenay, Cumberland, and Comox Councils and staff, and the provincial Community Action Initiative (CAI).
Business owners and managers are invited to register for a business luncheon with Lisa Lapointe and guests on Tuesday June 3 from noon to 2 p.m.. Please pre-register by May 30 at .
That evening, the public is invited to attend the Mission Overdose Community Action Team’s amazing play, Precarious: a transformational musical tale - bringing arts-based storytelling into the conversation. This performance will be held at the Stan Hagen Theatre, North Island College, starting at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.). Facebook event page:
On Wednesday June 4, attend a public presentation with Lisa Lapointe and panelists at the Stan Hagen Theatre, North Island College, starting at 6:30 p.m.. Guest panelists will include Marlene Stevens of the First Nations Health Authority, Leslie McBain from Moms Stop the Harm, John Hedican, Greg Hemminger of the Tailgate Toolkit, Daniel Snyder, Andy Speck, and medical health officer Dr. Charmaine Enns. Facebook event page:
There is no charge for any of the events. The series is sponsored by the Community Action Initiative, City of Courtenay, Village of Cumberland, and Comox Valley Transition Society.
“We’re excited to have Lisa Lapointe as keynote speaker, and discussion panelists who represent a wide array of both professional and lived experience on the toxic drug crisis”, said Andrea Derban from the Community Action Initiative. "Sadly, like so many other communities, the Comox Valley has lost far too many lives to this crisis.”
Comox Councillor Steve Blacklock noted the importance of community education. “We often associate this crisis to those most marginalized and visible, and it is devastating to witness the suffering,” said Blacklock. “We also know that many suffer behind closed doors, and families and workplaces are impacted. Many of those who have died are men, typically in their most productive years, and often working in the trades. It’s important to learn the facts, and that we need a community response to the crisis.”
Since the Government of B.C. declared a state of emergency in April 2016, over 16,000 people have died due to the poisoned, unregulated drug supply. In B.C., this crisis is the leading cause of death for people aged 10 to 59 years of age – accounting for more than all the homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural causes combined. Confusing and sometimes contradictory messages in the media and in the public discourse amplify the issue, and contribute to stigma and politicizing of this health issue.
Please plan to join these important conversations, aimed at unravelling these mixed messages and at providing factual, evidence-based information by experts.
For more info please email comoxvalley.cat@gmail.com or wmorin@courtenay.ca.
