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- Aug 31 - Remembering the 3K Islanders killed by toxic drugs
Aug 31 - Remembering the 3K Islanders killed by toxic drugs
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Capital Daily Team
August 31, 2025
Good morning !
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. We live in a province that has been in an opioid public-health emergency for more than nine years now; since it was declared, 17K+ people—including 3K Islanders—have been killed by unregulated drugs.
Island Health is hosting digital and in-person memorials around the Island and different events, including a vigil in Victoria, will take place today.
— Robyn
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
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Island Health marks International Overdose Awareness Day with memorials and events
Purple chairs in Powell River during a similar overdose memorial in 2022. Photo: Shutterstock
Since the opioid crisis was deemed a public-health emergency in 2016, 3K Islanders have lost their lives to the unregulated drug market.
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day (IOA Day) and Island Health is commemorating those who we’ve lost to the crisis—and the spot at their loved ones’ tables that they’ve left behind.
Eighteen purple chairs have been placed at Island Health Service facilities in eight communities, from Victoria to Campbell River. The empty chairs are memory stations, acting as a memorial for those killed by toxic drugs. They also give those who are mourning a chance to share their stories, with interactive memory boards set up alongside the chairs.
There will also be educational information on display to explain the health crisis and reduce stigma surrounding these deaths.
For those who can’t make it in person to a memory station, Island Health has created a digital memory wall—available now through Sept. 21—where people can share messages and memories.
Today, a non-religious vigil will take place at 7pm at Broad View United Church—hosted by the Evolving Church Team and Moms Stop the Harm—with music and poetry. Attendees are encouraged to bring photos to share. Check out the list of events happening in other Island municipalities.
Social connections are a lifeline to those with substance use disorders
This year’s theme for IOA Day is “One Big Family”—a reminder of the power of community and connection to help the most vulnerable.
According to Island Health, unregulated drug poisonings are the leading cause of death for Islanders 19 to 59-years-old. It is also the second leading cause of overall potential years of life lost for the Island, second to cancer.
In the first six months this year, 163 people on the Island were killed by toxic drugs—including 56 on the South Island.
“These deaths are preventable,” says Dr. Réka Gustafson, chief medical health officer for Island Health. “Remembering those we have lost honours them and keeps them in the centre of the dialogue.”
Gustafson says preventing drug deaths requires “actions beyond health services,” such as investing in housing, income equality, and social connection, which, she says, affect people’s vulnerability to substance use.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Gordon Head Rec Centre weight room to remain closed until December. [Saanich]
Commonwealth Pool reopens Tues. [Saanich]
BC General Employees' Union set to strike this week. [BCGEU]
Avian photo contest: Today is the last day to submit photos to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory for its annual calendar. [RPBO]
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
