August 31 will be recognized by City of Powell River as International Overdose Awareness Day.
At the August 20 city council meeting, Moms Stop the Harm representative Darlana Treloar spoke about the global event.
She said she lost her son Sean to fentanyl poisoning in 2016 and has been a member of Moms Stop The Harm for the last four years.
“I’ve been trying to reduce stigma and shame in Powell River by talking about our loss so that others going through this know they are not alone,” said Treloar. “The reason I’m here tonight is to proclaim August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day in Powell River.
“You will no doubt have seen ribbons and faces around town. That’s in preparation for International Overdose Awareness Day and this is what’s called the purple ribbon campaign, started by Moms Stop the Harm.”
Treloar said purple and silver are the colours adopted by International Overdose Awareness Day, which is recognized around the world each year. She said ribbons have long been displayed as a token of remembrance.
“They are powerful symbols of ties that bind,” said Treloar. “We encourage you to wear purple and tie a ribbon of remembrance in recognition of loved ones lost.”
Treloar said to bring awareness to the devastation of the loss of family members, Moms Stop the Harm in Powell River had two requests.
“On August 31, that city hall will be lit in purple,” said Treloar, “and on August 31, I have a flag for you for International Overdose Awareness Day to be flown at half-mast.”
Mayor Dave Formosa said Treloar, who had suffered a family tragedy with an overdose, has dedicated a lot of her life to this activity.
“I’ve known her my whole life and I say thank you on behalf of our community and our city for all of the hard work you are doing for the other families in this community,” said Formosa.
Councillor Cindy Elliott said she wanted to thank Treloar for coming to the council meeting.
“I, too, have lost a family member to overdose of fentanyl,” said Elliott. “I have been in support of Moms Stop the Harm in our community and I really appreciate the effort and momentum that Darlana keeps going here in our town.”
Formosa then read a proclamation for International Overdose Awareness Day. He said the city does affirm and acknowledge the harm and hardship caused by drug overdose, and the city recognizes the purpose of International Overdose Awareness Day as remembering loved ones lost to overdose, and ending the stigma of drug-related deaths.
“We resolve to play our part in reducing the total of overdose, which, in British Columbia, claimed 2.7 lives per day in 2019; in the month of June alone this year drug overdoses claimed 5.8 lives per day,” said Formosa. “We affirm that people affected by overdose are our sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, and deserving of our love, compassion and support.”
Formosa proclaimed August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day in and about the city.
After the meeting, Treloar said she is hoping residents and businesses will light up their houses and premises purple and put out purple ribbons for overdose awareness. She said she would be pleased to see the recognition even before August 31.
