An International Overdose Awareness Day vigil will be held in Mount Gambier tomorrow evening to remember people who have lost their lives and acknowledge all who have been affected by overdose.

The vigil will take place at the Cactus Memorial Garden at the Blue Lake/Warwar at 5.30pm and is co-hosted by the Limestone Coast Drug Action Team with Rotary Mount Gambier West.

Limestone Coast Drug Action Team chair Sergeant Jade Hill said overdose was a worldwide crisis and a successful inaugural vigil was held last year, with this being the only event held in the Limestone Coast.

“The vigil is to raise awareness around overdose, it is to provide education around overdose and that it is preventable,” Sgt Hill said.

“It is also very strongly about supporting families and friends who have lost somebody to overdose and trying to reduce the stigma around that.

“Because with drug use there is a stigma attached and a lot of families and friends who have lost somebody to that often they can feel a bit of shame and we do not want people feeling that way, every community member is valued regardless of their background.”

Tim Brennan from Life Without Barriers will perform a Welcome to Country and guest speakers will include Substance Misuse Limestone Coast project officer Sophie Bourchier, Sgt Hill and Rotary Mount Gambier West president Ray Herbert.

People are invited to wear purple and bring a candle or a candle app on their phone to light the night in memory of people who have lost a loved one to overdose and to reduce stigma.

A minute’s silence will be held to pay respects for those who have lost their lives to overdose.

“So it’s about coming together to show that support to the community but also to actually have an opportunity in a safe space to remember those lives that have been lost,” Sgt Hill said.

“But not just the lives that have been lost, also the people who have suffered lifelong injury because of overdose.

“There needs to be an awareness there are services in the community that can assist people, so that’s a big element of it as well.”