Everyone is invited to gather at the Comox Valley Art Gallery at 580 Duncan Ave. to honor loved ones lost, call for change, share stories to raise awareness, and support evidence-based overdose prevention strategies. August 31st 2026 marks the 25th annual International Overdose Awareness Day. This year’s theme honors the dedication of those who have carried this work forward over 25 years, while inviting more people into the conversation. It calls on all of us – across cultures, professions, and communities – to keep learning, to speak openly, and to act with compassion and on evidence. Together, we can create a future where fewer lives are lost, where support is within reach for everyone, and where one day this global moment of remembrance is no longer necessary.