Okanagan Nation Alliance to raise awareness about opioid crisis with Purple Ribbon Campaign Caravan

Okanagan First Nations are uniting to demand action to end the opioid crisis.

The Okanagan Nation Alliance is hosting a two-day event called the Purple Ribbon Campaign Caravan which will begin at the Osoyoos Indian Band on Aug. 27 with stops in Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon, before ending in Merritt on Aug. 28.

The caravan will traverse the Okanagan Nation's territory to raise awareness and educate people about addictions with the goal of saving lives through resource sharing and open conversation, according to an Alliance media release.

First Nations people are five times more likely than non-First Nations to experience an overdose, the Alliance says. A first step in addressing the issue is to destigmatize the epidemic of drug overdoses and remove the shame and fear of addiction and overdose.

Everyone is welcome to join in the caravan, and wear a purple ribbon in support of International Overdose Day, a global event held on Aug. 31 each year.

An awareness walk on the footpath across the William R. Bennett Bridge in Kelowna is scheduled for Aug. 28 from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. from Shelter Bay Marina to City Park in Kelowna. People who have been affected by overdose are urged to take part in a bid to give voice and face to the issue.

For more information head to the Okanagan Nation Alliance website here.

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