B.C. is entering its eighth year in a declared state of emergency due to the toxic drug crisis. Toxic drugs are now the leading cause of death for people aged 10 to 59 in B.C. according to the BC Coroners Service, accounting for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined.
The Delta Community Action Team (DCAT) is dedicated to implementing wellness measures to assist in ending the crisis by preventing, reducing, and delaying substance use for future generations.
The DCAT is holding a Wellness Fair to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day (Aug. 31) and BC Recovery Day (Sept. 7).
The event will be held Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ladner United Church, (4960 48 Ave.). This free event is open to all ages and includes a supervised play area for young children. The goal is to provide fun, entertainment, and a range of wellness and recreational resources. It will feature diverse activities including a food truck, live music, speakers, crafts, interactive booths, games for all ages and door prizes.
The event will feature an audio-visual art experience aimed at raising awareness and promoting compassion toward mental health journeys through personal stories. A memorial space will be dedicated to the numerous lives tragically lost in Delta due to the poisoned drug supply.
DCAT was founded in 2018 to address the toxic drug supply crisis in Delta and to promote a healthy, resilient community through partnerships for mental health and substance use prevention.
“Initiatives that promote mental well-being, cultivate social connections, support the healthy development of young minds, and teach and model healthy ways to cope with stress can help youth find alternatives to substance use in their adulthood,” says Julie Chadwick, DCAT co-chair and Deltassist executive director.
There were 737 unregulated drug deaths in the Fraser Health Region from April 2023 to April 2024 – just under 57 per month. Delta has experienced a record high loss of life for the past three years. The event will be a chance for the community of Delta to gather to honour each loved one Delta has lost, and to learn more about how the community can grow in resilience.
On the evening of Aug. 31, the City of Delta will light City Hall and the 56th Street median purple to acknowledge International Overdose Awareness Day.
To learn more about the Delta Community Action Team, visit DeltaOverdose.ca or email [email protected].
