Blue Hat Memorial Installed At Campbell River City Hall

A memorial is being installed at Campbell River City Hall recognizing the impacts of the opioid crisis.

The Blue Hat Memorial Project was created by artist and City Councillor Ron Kerr, looking to spark important conversations about the number of deaths of men and boys during the opioid crisis in British Columbia.

The memorial will remain in place until Saturday, August 31st -  International Overdose Awareness Day. The day itself is meant to provide information on, stimulate discussion around, and prevent and reduce drug-related harm.

The display includes 12,000 blue flags, which represent the current number of unregulated drug deaths of men and boys in B.C. since the beginning of the opioid crisis in 2016.

That represents 80 per cent of the more than 15,000 total deaths in B.C.

A separate memorial will also acknowledge the 189 women and men in Campbell River who have lost their lives due to the opioid crisis since 2016.

They will be represented by purple and white flags.

Mayor Kermit Dahl says every life lost to the opioid crisis is a tragedy and Council will continue to do what it can to get the support the community needs to address the crisis head-on.

“Council has made a healthy and safe community a priority and in support of this, we delivered temporary housing units with support services to the community, opened countless warming centres on the coldest nights of the year, and have contributed City-owned land toward the construction of second stage housing and treatment facilities. The Blue Hat Memorial Project furthers this work by continuing the conversation and reminding us of the work we still must do.”

A ceremony is taking place at City Hall this morning, at 10am, and the public is invited to attend. The installation is funded through donations from community organizations.

Councillor Kerr says the display highlights that most overdose deaths in B.C. have been males and that a significant number are tied to the trades and industry.

The blue hard hat, he says, honours these men and acknowledges the impact that the crisis has had on our workforce.

“I hope that when everyone sees the art installation, it sparks conversations around the current men’s health crisis, and all those who have lost their lives, and moves people to demand more supports for treatment and recovery services, as Council continues to do,” said Kerr .

For more information on what the City is doing to foster a healthy and safe community, visit City of Campbell River.