Honouring those lives lost to overdose

At 11 a.m. the group opened the gates at the Rite Garden Centre across from the Station Coffee Company downtown. Pudwell says a steady stream of health professionals and members of the public were visiting in the first hours of the event, which will go until 9 p.m.

In addition to talking with people and handing out informational pamphlets and brochures throughout the day, luminaries will be lit to honour the lives lost to addiction. They’ll be lit in the evening and, weather permitting, will stay lit overnight, Pudwell says.

She says the Medicine Hat Drug Coalition is making steps to bringing the issue of addiction out of the darkness and hopes to change the perceptions of some.

“Educating people, talking with people, being open with people and making sure that people understand that addiction can happen to anybody,” she said. “We would like people to treat people with addiction with respect and dignity and know that hope is there.”

Pudwell invites anyone interested, who has been affected or knows someone who has been affected to reach out to the Medicine Hat Drug Coalition.

The Saamis Tepee will be lit in purple until the end of the week, also in honour of the lives lost.

by Chris Brown

Honouring those lives lost to overdose

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