Honouring, Remembering, and Acting: Tri-Cities International Overdose Awareness Day 2026

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Every year on August 31, communities across the globe gather for International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). It is a global day dedicated to honouring the lives lost to the ongoing toxic drug crisis, supporting those left behind without stigma, and acknowledging the grief felt by families and friends. Organized globally through www.overdoseday.com, IOAD serves as a stark, vital reminder that overdose is preventable and that every human life holds immense value.

Here in the Tri-Cities, our community continues to feel the profound impact of this crisis. Findings from the Fraser Health Chief Medical Health Officer Toxic Drug Emergency Report highlight the urgent, ongoing need for accessible harm reduction, low-barrier support services, and compassionate community connections across our region. While we will dive into a full breakdown of the Chief Medical Officer report in an upcoming dedicated blog post, the core takeaway remains clear: local, community-driven action saves lives.

On Monday, August 31, 2026, the Tri-Cities Community Action Team (TC CAT) invites you to join us at Town Centre Park Community Centre as we gather through art, education, and connection under the banner #itTakesACommunity.

Event Details

  • Date: Monday, August 31, 2026
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Set-up from 10:00 AM)
  • Location: Town Centre Park Community Centre (1207 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC)
  • Website: www.tri-citiescat.ca

This event is free and open to everyone. Whether you are looking to access health and wellness resources, connect with service providers, participate in grounding art workshops, or honor a loved one at our Memorial Tree, all are welcome.

Full Event Schedule

Throughout the day, attendees are invited to explore at their own pace. All workshops are completely optional, and community partner booths, networking spaces, and the Memorial Tree will remain open continuously from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

  • 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Event Set-UpService providers arrive, set up interactive booths, and prepare workshop spaces.
  • 11:00 AM | Doors Open & Community Connection: Booths open to attendees. Take time to explore local resources, chat with outreach workers, and visit the Memorial Tree.
  • 11:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Opening Welcome: Welcome and opening grounding by Stephen Armstrong, an Elder from the Kwikwetlem First Nation who is deeply dedicated to community wellbeing.
  • 11:35 AM – 11:50 AM | Introduction of Happenings: An overview of the day’s activities, introducing participating service providers, and outlining workshop spaces with Roxanne.
  • 11:50 AM – 12:30 PM | Open Connection & Provider Networking: Dedicated time to visit partner tables, receive free Naloxone training, and place messages of memory and hope on the Memorial Tree.
  • 12:35 PM – 12:55 PM | Workshop 1: Tree Meditation (Optional)A 20-minute nature-connected guided meditation led by the Wondrous Tree Fellowship to ground attendees early in the day.
  • 1:00 PM – 1:20 PM | Workshop 2: DOT CALM Rock Art (Optional)A 20-minute interactive dot rock painting session led by Denise (Red Sockeye Consulting) for mindfulness, memory, and hope.
  • 1:25 PM – 1:45 PM | Workshop 3: Resilience Yoga (Optional)A 20-minute trauma-informed movement and Yoga Nidra session led by Bee the Yogi for nervous system regulation and stress relief.
  • 1:50 PM – 2:20 PM | Afternoon Connection & Reflection: Open time to rest, connect with peers, revisit partner booths, or spend quiet moments at the Memorial Tree.
  • 2:25 PM – 3:00 PM | Closing Circle: Share Stories Together: A dedicated 35-minute supportive space for sharing memories, personal stories, and mutual support as a community to close the day.
  • 3:00 PM | Event Concludes & Tear Down

Featured Community Workshops & Facilitators

In addition to hosting informative booths during open networking hours, our workshop facilitators will be guiding short interactive sessions throughout the afternoon:

Tree Meditation — Facilitated by Wondrous Tree Fellowship

Nature connections offer a powerful anchor during times of grief and community reflection. The Wondrous Tree Fellowship will guide participants through a gentle 20-minute nature-connected meditation designed to lower stress and ground us in our surroundings.

DOT CALM Rock Art — Facilitated by Denise (Red Sockeye Consulting)

Dot rock painting is a simple, rhythmic mindfulness practice. Painting repetitive patterns on smooth stones naturally quiets the mind, lowers stress, and brings focus into the present moment. Participants can create stones in memory of loved ones or as personal tokens of hope and grounding.

Resilience Yoga — Facilitated by Bee the Yogi

Bee is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 500) who has been teaching since 2018. Bee will guide a mini Yoga Nidra session—a trauma-informed, guided meditation practiced comfortably seated or lying down that supports sleep, eases anxiety, and regulates the nervous system.

On-Site Service Providers & Interactive Booths

Throughout the event, local community organizations and health outreach teams will be hosting interactive booths to provide resources, peer support, harm reduction supplies, and low-barrier connection. Be sure to visit:

  • Tri-Cities Community Action Team (TC CAT): Event host dedicated to reducing stigma, supporting harm reduction, and facilitating local community action.
  • Fraser Health Overdose Outreach Team: Providing outreach services, connection to care, and substance use support across the health authority.
  • iHART (Integrated Health and Recovery Team): Delivering flexible health, psychiatric, and addiction support services across the region.
  • Naloxhome: Youth-led harm reduction initiative offering free Naloxone training and education to empower the community.
  • Spirit of the Children Society: Providing culturally safe programs and support for Indigenous children, youth, and families.
  • Moving Forward Family Services: Providing accessible, low-barrier, and affordable counseling and mental health support.
  • Dedicated Workshop Facilitator Booths: Stop by the tables for Red Sockeye Consulting, Wondrous Tree Fellowship, and Bee the Yogi between scheduled sessions to ask questions, connect one-on-one, or pick up additional resources.

Why We Gather — And What You Can Do in the Community

Holding an annual space like International Overdose Awareness Day is about making sure no one grieves in isolation and that our collective loss drives meaningful action. While gathering on August 31 is a vital step, ending overdose requires everyday actions from all of us.

How You Can Take Action in Your Daily Life:

  1. Carry a Free Naloxone Kit: Naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. Free kits and quick training are available at local pharmacies, community health centers, and at our event booths.
  2. Challenge Stigma & Change the Language: Stigma surrounding drug use prevents people from reaching out for support or using safely. Use person-first language (e.g., “person who uses drugs” rather than “addict”) and lead conversations with empathy rather than judgment.
  3. Practice & Share Harm Reduction Safety: If you or someone you know uses substances, never use alone. Download tools like the Lifeguard App or connect with the B.C. National Overdose Response Network (NORN) at 1-888-688-NORN (6676) so someone can dispatch help if needed.
  4. Support Local Community Action Teams: Get involved with community initiatives, volunteer, or attend public awareness events throughout the year.

Surrounding IOAD Events Across British Columbia

If you are looking to support IOAD gatherings in neighbouring communities or across B.C., partner Community Action Teams, advocacy groups, and municipal organizations are hosting events on and around August 31:

Together, by showing up for one another and speaking out, we can build a safer, more compassionate community. We look forward to seeing you at Town Centre Park Community Centre on August 31.

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