Edmonton Unites In Remembrance: International Overdose Awareness Day

EDMONTON, CANADA - August 31, 2023: 'Flags of Hope' to honor and remember those lost to drug overdoses as many Edmontonians gathered at Victoria Park this evening to mark the annual International Overdose Awareness Day, on August 31, 2023, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Edmonton's Overdose Awareness Day raises funds and awareness about the tragic impact of drug poisoning deaths on the community and provides support for grieving families and healthcare professionals. The urgency is highlighted by a nine percent increase in opioid-related deaths in 2023, with 770 deaths in the first five months, compared to 701 in 2022. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)