(Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Dylana Milobar

INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY

Memorial bench unveiled in Riverside Park in time for International Overdose Awareness Day

Aug 29, 2019 | 4:54 PM

KAMLOOPS — A bench now overlooks the South Thompson River from Riverside Park – awaiting curious, and heavy hearts.

Sandra Tully’s son, Ryan, died of a fatal overdose over three years ago, and today Sandra could remember him from a new place.

Now working with Moms Stop the Harm, Tully says the unveiling of the memorial plaque comes ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day at the end of the month.

“It’s two-fold. So we want to start the conversation, and that’s what we hope to achieve with the dedication, but we also want to give the families that have been affected in Kamloops a really beautiful place to come and reflect and remember their lost loved one.”

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The commemorative bench was set up by Moms Stop the Harm, and Addiction Matters Kamloops, groups dedicated to educating, and supporting anyone impacted by drug addiction.

Jessica Mensinger of Addiction Matters says it’s important to have a physical way for people to learn and reflect.

“I think that having something tangible that people can see, sit on, look at, and congregate around is really important to our community,” Mensinger explains. “It sends a message that this is an issue that we care about, and it’s an issue for everyone — being in our main park.”

Following the bench reveal, an information event was held to give people a chance to learn more about substance-related struggles.

(Image Credit: CFJC Today)

The groups aim to reduce fear and shame around addiction, which Jennifer Cottell of Moms Stop the Harm says can prevent users from reaching for help.

“Substance abuse can affect absolutely everyone and anyone in your community. And shame and stigma will help keep those people in that place.”

For Cottell, her own perspective has grown after seeing her daughter’s addiction experience.

“There was a lot of stigma, and I was on that opposite end of the stick. And now I’m the first one to own that, and can’t believe that I could shame or treat someone in that manner,” she says. “She (my daughter) has taught me a lot about humanity.”

Organizers hope people attending who had little to no view into the struggle of addicts gained some insight after the event.

“Behind addiction is pain. And some of that pain is mental health pain,” explains Tully. “So yes, I think they go hand in hand.”

And when Overdose Awareness Day comes August 31, those hurting from an overdose loss can now use the bench to remember their loved ones.