City councillor and artist Ron Kerr has created a display outside city hall to remember men and boys who have died from drugs.
In advance of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, Kerr’s Blue Hat Memorial Project includes 12,000 blue flags which represent the number of deaths of men and boys in BC who have died from unregulated drugs.
Kerr says most of the deaths have been males, and a significant number are tied to the trades and industry. The blue hard hats in the display are to honor them and the impact the drug crisis has had on the working class.
“It acknowledges the challenges that the community is facing and supports my work with men’s mental health,” he said in a news release. “The display highlights that most overdose deaths in BC have been males and that a significant number are tied to the trades and industry. The blue hard hat honours these men and acknowledges the impact that this has had on our work force.
“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.”
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.
Council will be there at 10 am on Tuesday, the public is invited to attend the official opening of the art installation.
