Island Health invites anyone who has been impacted by the toxic drug crisis to remember their loved ones at in-person or digital interactive memorials as a part of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), the world’s largest annual campaign to raise awareness about the ongoing toxic drug poisoning crisis.
International Overdose Awareness Day takes place on August 31. This year’s theme, “One Big Family,” is a reminder that we are all connected—and that together, through compassion and awareness, we can honour lives lost and support those impacted by overdose and the crisis.
Starting August 25, purple chairs will be stationed at 18 Island Health service locations in eight communities around the region: Campbell River, Nanaimo, Oceanside, Comox Valley, Port Alberni, Duncan, Westshore, and Victoria. These memorial exhibits will also include information and resources, purple ribbon pins and an interactive memory board.
“We are nine years into the B.C. toxic drug crisis, and it is unrelenting,” says Island Health Board Chair Leah Hollins. “Purple has long been used as the colour to represent lives lost to the ongoing global crisis. These purple chairs symbolize the loved ones lost, providing a quiet space for rest, reflection and remembrance.”
Unregulated drug poisoning remains the leading cause of death among those 19 to 59-years old in Island Health. It is also the second leading cause of overall potential years of life lost in the population, second only to cancer. In the first half of 2025 toxic drug poisonings have taken the lives of 163 people across the Island Health region: 30 in North Vancouver Island, 77 in Central Vancouver Island, and 56 in South Vancouver Island.
“These deaths are preventable,” says Dr. Réka Gustafson, Vice President, Population and Public Health and Chief Medical Health Officer. “Remembering those we have lost honours them and keeps them in the centre of the dialogue about a meaningful response to the crisis from the entire community.”
“Preventing these deaths requires actions beyond health services including investment in the social determinants of health, like housing, income, education and social connection, which shape people’s vulnerability to substance use,” says Dr. Gustafson. “Continuing to focus on equitable and accessible prevention, harm reduction, and treatment services is also required.”
In addition to in-person memorial stations Island Health is hosting an online memory wall, available now through September 20. This memory wall is an opportunity for people to share memories, special words, and photos highlighting the One Big Family impacted.
Mental health, substance use, and grief services and supports are available.
- Residents may call Service Link at 1-888-885-8824 to learn about supports that best meet their needs.
- If someone is experiencing a crisis, they can contact the Vancouver Island Crisis Line, available 24/7, at 1-888-494-3888.
- To access mental health and substance use services, visit our Mental Health & Substance Use Services page or HelpStartsHere.gov.bc.ca.
- For harm reduction information and resources, like where to get Naloxone, visit Toward The Heart.
- Read the 2024 Chief Medical Health Officer Report to learn data, policy history, and evidence-based opportunities for actions which can improve health and reduce the harms of psychoactive substance use.
Upcoming events
Community events being held August 25
- Port Alberni – 2:30 p.m. at the Port Alberni Friendship Centre. Toxic movie screening and speaker Guy Felicella.
Community events being held August 29
- Campbell River - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Spirit Square. Food, music, activities and cultural supports. Hosted by Campbell River Community Action Team.
- Nanaimo – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. Market-style tables with ribbons, resources memory tree, and naloxone training. Hosted by Island Health.
Community events being held August 30
- Duncan – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Charles Hoey Park. Food, music, art, memorial, education, training, speakers, and service providers. Hosted by the Cowichan Community Action Team.
- Gabriola Island – Speaker and candlelight vigil
Community events being held August 31
- Crofton – 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Osborne Bay at the greenspace next to the ferry terminal. A Walk for J - Cowichan Tzinquaw Dancers, singer songwriter Chris Andres, and walk up Crofton Sea Walk. Hosted by Chaw Cawson.
- Parksville – 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Parksville Community Park, picnic shelter next to outdoor theatre. Candlelight vigil (7 p.m.), singers and open mic. Hosted by Oceanside Community Action Team and Moms Stop The Harm.
- Sooke –3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the kiosk area in Sooke core/Evergreen Centre. Live music, speakers, candlelight vigil. Hosted by Sooke Shelter Society.
- Campbell River – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Campbell River Farmers Market, near the community centre. Booth with resources for construction industry. Booth hosted by Tailgate Toolkit.
- Victoria – 7 p.m. at Broad View United Church. Music, poetry, non-religious vigil, bring and view photos. Hosted by the Evolving Church Team and Moms Stop the Harm.