Drug War Armistice Day Community Outreach in #YEG

People who use substances deserve peace, autonomy, and safety.

Today, community leaders, families, people with lived and living experience and health care providers will unite in Edmonton in solidarity with community members. Their message is clear: the War on Drugs is a war on people and we must do more to value and protect the lives of people who use substances.

Overdose and poisoning deaths have steadily increased as the illegal drug supply becomes more toxic and unpredictable. Our prohibitionist drug laws are rooted in racism and colonialism and continue to amplify suffering. Harm reduction services are proven to save lives, yet they have been closed, cancelled and criticized under the current provincial government.

To create a safe haven for members of the inner city community, volunteers will be on hand to provide warm clothes, drinks, and food for attendees on the northside of 106 Avenue between 96 and 95 Street NW.

Experienced volunteers will be on standby to respond to overdoses/poisonings and promote safety. Overdose response training will be provided, and naloxone distributed. Following the event, local outreach teams will spread out across neighbourhoods most impacted to provide safer use supplies and distribute naloxone.

While the volunteers at today’s event come from varied backgrounds, they have all lost loved ones to drug poisoning. The toll this crisis is taking on those who work on the front lines and on people who use substances is immeasurable. Countless Albertans continue to lose loved ones to toxic policy.

"In light of the reality on the ground, It is absolutely necessary for us as Community Outreach groups to come together to support the community to collaborate and provide support for people affected by this poisoning crisis to help keep people safer and healthier, but most importantly alive!" Shanell Twan, CAPUD

People who engage with today’s Drug War Armistice event will take away the following:

More than 2,000 Albertans have died from drug overdose/poisoning in 2020-21

Four to five Albertans die every day from drug overdose/poisoning
Misinformation about harm reduction services is deadly for the community
Drug overdoses/poisonings are claiming the lives of people who are loved and valued
Each death creates ripples of trauma throughout our communities
Urgent responses are needed from all levels of government
People with lived and living experience should be centered in decision-making

By adopting a robust community response including outreach, harm reduction, and advocacy, we can end the drug overdose and poisoning claiming far too many of our neighbours.

This is a joint initiative by the following organizations

AAWEAR
Bear Clan
Boots on Ground Harm Reduction Society
Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs (CAPUD)
EACH&EVERY Businesses for Harm Reduction
Moms Stop The Harm
Water Warriors