Overdose Awareness event planned for Comox Valley

Event will commemorate those who have died to toxic drugs in community

Supporters of Doctors for Safer Drug Policy and Moms Stop the Harm set up an unsanctioned Overdose Prevention Site at the Comox Valley Hospital. The group will be hosting the International Overdose Awareness Day event in August.Marc Kitteringham / Comox Valley Record

So far this year, there have been nine Comox Valley residents who have died due to toxic unregulated drugs.

To commemorate those who have passed away and to raise awareness for the ongoing toxic drug poisoning crisis in B.C. Doctors for Safer Drug Policy (DSDP), Moms Stop the Harm (MSTH), SOLID Outreach, and the Comox Valley Community Action Team (CAT) are hosting an International Overdose Awareness Day event on Aug. 29.

Based on the data reported by the BC Coroners Service, which includes up until April, there have been nine deaths in the Comox Valley local health area due to unregulated drugs. However, that is only for the first third of the year. In 2024, there were 33 total deaths reported in the Valley, down from 37 the year before. Since 2016, two years have had 37 deaths (2022 and 2023), which is the peak for the time period reported. The Comox Valley and Campbell River have had the same number of deaths so far in 2025. Last year, Campbell River had nearly double the amount as the Comox Valley (57). Alberni Clayoquot has also had nine people pass away due to toxic drugs.

The Comox Valley Event will be from noon until 3 p.m. on Aug. 28. The event will be at the Comox Valley Art Gallery, 580 Duncan Avenue in Courtenay.

"We鈥檙e envisioning a meaningful and community-led gathering that will include elements such as a community walk, memorial space, speakers, poetry, art, cultural drumming, music, naloxone education and training, spaces for healing and connection and BBQ lunch by donation," a release from organizers says.

At 1 p.m., there will be a ten minute 鈥渄ie-in鈥� demonstration, a peaceful, embodied protest where people鈥檚 bodies become the message. The physical presence honours lives lost and calls attention to the urgency of the toxic drug crisis. This demonstration was initiated by Doctors for Safer Drug Policy, who have been strong leaders in coordinating bold, actionable movements across B.C. The initiative is happening in multiple communities across Vancouver Island, the mainland, and even Saskatchewan, a testament to the collective power behind this action. Participation in the die-in is entirely voluntary.

This type of awareness action has a long history in powerful social movements such as:

鈥� AIDS activism 鈥� where ACT UP used dramatic die-ins to demand attention and policy change, often including readings of names or moments of collective grief

鈥� Black Lives Matter 鈥� where participants sometimes lay down for the amount of time someone suffered, with others holding signs or chanting around them

鈥� Climate justice movements 鈥� where die-ins have been used to disrupt public or political spaces with striking visuals or silence to represent planetary or human loss

The event will be a joint event with others across the Island, as a Doctors for Safer Drug Policy initiative. Participants are asked to wear purple to symbolize remembrance and solidarity.

- For harm reduction services and information, including naloxone programs, visit .
- To tell Island Health about a toxic drug event/poisoning text OD to 253787.
- For those using alone, try the Lifeguard App at l or the Brave App at , or call the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-6677
- Check out page to find information on overdose prevention and supervised consumption sites, drug-checking services and more.
- For Indigenous-specific information, visit the pages.

Overdose Awareness event planned for Comox Valley

This has been shared 0 times

More News