Local Journalism Initiative
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, EnergeticCity
Updated, July 10th, 12:30 p.m.: This story was updated to clarify which organizations are organizing the event.
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Plans for an event to bring awareness to those suffering from substance abuse are being finalized in Fort St. John.
International Overdose Awareness Day takes place on August 31st and began in 2001, with the aim of raising understanding around drug use and lowering the stigma surrounding drug-related deaths while providing support for grieving families.
First organized in Australia, it is now recognized in 40 countries around the globe.
The event in Fort St. John is being put on by a collaboration of various organizations around the city, including Moms Stop the Harm, a mother-based organization bringing about substance abuse awareness; Fort St. John Friendship Centre; Urban Systems; and the Nenan Dane Zaa Deh Zona Family Services Society.
For Hailey Testawitch, the topic is very personal. Testawitch, who works with Nenan Dane Zaa Deh Zona, lost her father to an overdose earlier this year.
“I did some more research, just kind of [finding out what] International Overdose Awareness Day was, what that means, how to campaign and advocate for [it].”
Hailey Testawitch
“I did some more research, just kind of [finding out what] International Overdose Awareness Day was, what that means, how to campaign and advocate for [it],” said Testawitch.
A member of Saulteau First Nations, Testawitch has seen relatives suffer with substance abuse in addition to her father.
Although still in the planning stages, Testawitch says naloxone training and seminars will be available, and she’s hoping representatives from Northern Health and also families will be able to speak at the event.
The event will also have community partners offer to show their services at tables at the gathering.
She also hopes to have cultural drummers and dancers at the event, which is tentatively scheduled for August 31st at Festival Plaza in Fort St. John, starting from 10:30 a.m. with a memorial walk taking place at 4 p.m.
The event will finish with a candlelight vigil.
In 2024, the BC Emergency Health Services cited 227 calls related to drug overdoses in Fort St. John, among the highest number counts in northern B.C., and the BC Coroners Service reported in 2025 there were 46 deaths per 100,000 people related to overdoses.
