Walk With Me To Host Story Walks As An Arts-Based Response To Toxic Drug Crisis

“Walk With Me” will host “story walks” in November as part of its ongoing Walk With Me project, an arts-based response to the toxic drug crisis.

The walks are guided audio journeys, featuring soundscapes built on the stories, songs and poetry of people who have living experience with the crisis.

Participants listen to the stories through wireless headsets while on the walk.

The walks are free, but space is limited so people are urged to register in advance at Walk With Me or Eventbrite.

The upcoming walks will take place next Wednesday, November 16th, with participants gathering in Spirit Square before their 45-minute walk.

Walk With Me organizer Sharon Karsten says the walks come from many hours of community dialogue hosted with people whose lives have been impacted by the toxic drug poisoning crisis – including people who use drugs, family members and front-line workers.

The walks started in Courtenay in the fall of 2020, when the Comox Valley Art Gallery first ran the program. Since then, Walk With Me has expanded to Campbell River and other communities, and become a regular feature of training and education for various organizations, employers and community leaders.