Youth & Family Substance Use Services

Grief and International Overdose Awareness Day

Grief is a powerful and unifying force — one felt deeply by families, care providers, and communities across the region. On this International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), Island Health honours those who carry this grief by remembering the spouses, partners, children, parents, siblings, extended family members, friends, coworkers, and clients whose lives have been lost to toxic drug poisoning.

Nanaimo resident Gretchen Brown recalled finding out her only son died of a toxic drug overdose four years ago.