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Penticton marks International Overdose Awareness Day amid toxic drug crisis
Organizers said the South Okanagan still lacks a medical detox facility as B.C. reports at least 18,000 toxic-drug deaths in 10 years.
- On Saturday, Aug. 29, elected officials and community groups gathered in Penticton's Gyro Park to honor lives lost to toxic drugs, preceding International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31.
- In the 10 years since the province declared a public health emergency, at least 18,000 people have died due to toxic drugs, making this sixth annual event a vital reminder.
- Harmony Pickett of the Penticton Indian Band and Stephanie Lines of OneSky Community Resources organized the gathering; Pickett noted two people on PIB land have died in 2026.
- Penticton City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 1, regarding Interior Health's proposal to operate a 10-bed detox centre at 264 Wade Ave., addressing the region's lack of local facilities.
- Mayor Julius Bloomfield stated those suffering from addiction require community support and compassion, emphasizing the crisis demands ongoing help and shared responsibility.
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Penticton Western News+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Penticton marks International Overdose Awareness Day amid toxic drug crisis
In the 10 years since B.C. declared an overdose public-health emergency, at least 18,000 people have lost their lives province-wide due to toxic drugs. The names and faces of some of them were posted in Penticton’s Gyro Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, as elected officials and community groups gathered to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day. “We have proven that in Penticton and the South Okanagan, we are a compassionate people and we rise …
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