A plaque honouring those who perished because of substance abuse has been unveiled in Downtown Bancroft.
The bronze plaque depicts messages and art honouring those who died from overdose. Victoria Burke and Nicole Powers, Outreach Workers at North Hastings Community Trust, called the ceremony emotional.
Powers highlighted the importance of the memorial, as there have been 13 overdoses in the community since the pandemic started, with many more suspected. Powers says that people need to know that those who died had lives, stories, and mattered to those around them. She hopes the plaque will help make sure they are not invisible.
Burke says the ceremony was heartbreaking but the turnout was great. She says the event was an emotional rollercoaster but wants to keep the conversation going so that people don’t have to suffer in silence. She says if people can be more open about their abuse, they can have a better quality of life.
The work on the plaque was done by Rocky Dobey and the Hastings Highlands Worker’s Co-operative. Dobey donated the materials for the plaque and will be doing the engraving.