Overdose Awareness Day: remembering friends and family lost

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“It really got to the point where I couldn’t have him in my home anymore because it was just too dangerous,” she recalled. “He had influences around him, people wanting money, and he got into a lot of illegal activity because of his addiction.”

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Amazingly, Braithwaite’s son sobered up ten years ago when he made the decision to enlist the help of the Last Door Recovery Centre in New Westminster.

“He has been clean for ten years, and I can honestly say he’s a better man because of his experience with his addiction and his experience getting clean,” mom said, beaming with pride.

In a release sent out Wednesday, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson said the hope is to break down the stigma associated with drug use.

“Increasing support and reducing stigma is a key part of our government’s work to build a comprehensive and seamless continuum of mental-health and addictions care that works for everyone,” Malcolmson said. “It’s also why we are decriminalizing people who use drugs.”

According to BC Coroners Service data, at least 1,095 British Columbians are believed to have died as a result of toxic drug supply between January and June 2022.

“Unfortunately, as sad as it is, we see an awful lot of deaths from overdoses,” Braithwaite said. “It’s a huge societal problem right now, and we need all the help and support we can get.”

As people gathered in the park wearing different shades of purple in solidarity, it was a day of mourning but also one for a brighter future because, as Braithwaite said, recovery is possible.

“We see lots of success stories, and that’s what I think people don’t get to see is people that come through that, survive, and go on to be leaders. Beautiful,” she said.

The event was organized by local organization ROAR (Reducing Overdose Abbotsford Response).

Image: L. Gomes / PML / Local organization ROAR (Reducing Overdose Abbotsford Response) held an event at Jubilee Park to remember loved ones lost to addiction.