Lost Souls walk-by memorial honours the lives lost through the overdose crisis

“This really represents the loss in our community and all the extra shoes are for the other communities in B.C. that have lost people as well,” said Sandra Tully of Moms Stop the Harm. “So we decided to do this because we feel like that’s one way to make an impact and perhaps reduce the stigma that surrounds this crisis.”

Tully has been fighting back against stigma since losing her son Ryan to an accidental overdose in January of 2016.

“When I first started, I didn’t think I would be five years into it, continuing to try to create some awareness somehow. But, as I’m into this further I just realize how really important that is and if I’m not going to speak, who is going to speak?”

Jennifer Cottell is also a member of Moms Stop the Harm. She was inspired by the struggles of her own daughter to help others in similar situations.

“Connection is key to absolutely any human and that connection can lead them to recovery and give them the best possible life,” she said. “When you take that connection away — you can’t stigmatize anybody any more than they already feel themselves.”

On the five-year anniversary of the declaration of the public health emergency, the province is formalizing a request to Ottawa to decriminalize personal possession of illicit substances.

The move comes as the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic worsens the ongoing crisis.

“We know the actions that we have taken to try and stem the tide of this virus has caused people to be in more precarious situations and has increased the toxicity of the drug supply that was already lethal,” said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said in a news conference.

Moms Stop the Harm is among advocate groups calling for a safe drug supply.

“We need to have a safe supply,” Tully said. “I can go and buy a bottle of wine in the liquor store and not be worried that it’s tainted with something and that this might be my last bottle of wine. Someone who uses other substances doesn’t have that choice.”

As people look on the shoe memorial and read about the people each pair represents, they’re reminded of how much loss the overdose crisis has caused.

“It never fails to catch you every time,” Cottell said. “It’s just a reminder that these are beautiful people you see everyday. I work with people struggling like this everyday.”

by Jill Sperling

Lost Souls walk-by memorial honours the lives lost through the overdose crisis

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