‘People are dying’: Rally set for National Overdose Action Day

Local advocates will take to regional headquarters this evening to honour those who have died from drug overdoses in the community.

The rally, organized by the WR Drug Action Team, follows the province’s decision last week to issue new restrictions on supervised drug consumption sites, which will lead to the closure of multiple Consumption and Treatment Sites (CTS) across the province, including in Kitchener.

Sara Escobar, a member of the WR Drug Action Team, said the rally will include calls for action, including advocacy for the continuous funding of safe supply, and for an emergency drug strategy. She argued the province’s decision last week will see a rise in deaths, alleging that there are lies being told about CTS.

“Folks are not just going in there, using, partying and then leaving: that’s not what that is,” said Escobar. “They offer people a chance to live another day make other choices.”

The rally is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. and run until 8:30 p.m.