Rally to End the Overdose Crisis and demand #SafeSupply NOW!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Victoria, B.C.)

Join us April 16th, on the National Day of Action on the Overdose Crisis, as we rally to End the Overdose Crisis and demand #SafeSupply NOW!

On June 16th at 12 pm the South Island Community Overdose Response Network (SICORN) will be joining the call by the Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs to take action to end to the overdose crisis by demanding an immediate supply of safe and predictable narcotics to those most at risk of overdose.

Victoria residents are encouraged to join SICORN and ‘make some noise’ to draw attention to the devastation this crisis has had on our community.  The rally will feature speakers with personal and lived experience.

 

Why are we demanding #Safesupply?

In 2018, 1510 people died of a preventable drug overdose in BC. 96 of these deaths were Victoria residents, making this region the third highest affected community in all of BC, trailing only behind Vancouver and Surrey.

From the Canadian Association of People who use Drugs (CAPUD.CA) #Safesupply Factsheet

  • In regions of Canada where the tainted drug supply being a significant factor in overdose deaths, safe drugs can prevent overdose death.
  • Safe supply is not just a treatment for an individual at risk of overdose, but for the systemic issues that impact individuals and increase overdose risk (criminalization, contaminated drugs).
  • Safe Supply means that service providers re-conceptualize safe use practices (using sterile equipment, narcan) to include using a safe substance of known potency. For it to be effective it has to be available: barriers reduce accessibility.
  • Safe supply is a catalyst to getting people in touch with harm reduction, housing, and healthcare services.

We are calling on all levels of the government to work together to end this crisis and ensure that those who are most at risk are given the safe and predictable narcotics necessary to prevent death. 

 

Event Details

  • When: April 16th, 12pm
  • Where: Centennial Square, Victoria, BC

We invite you to come and make noise with us, show your rage about the ongoing and preventable overdose crisis. This war on people that use drugs continues to destroy our communities, families and friends. Bring pots, pans, buckets, drums - anything to make noise with! We’ll be gathering at 11:30am to make signs, assembling together at 12pm and making LOTS of noise at 12:15pm.

 

 

We would like to acknowledge that this action takes place on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen Speaking people, the Songhees and Esquimalt nations.