An event coming up on Sunday will bring together teens, parents, and community members for addictions awareness and support.

Local addictions and overdose awareness advocate who lost her husband to overdose in January of 2021, Janelle Kincaid, said it will also be a time to remember those lost to overdose, as she did in March with Black Balloon Friday. read more HERE.

"We're recreating those signs that we did for Black Balloon Friday on March 6th, and that it started in the states as a remembrance to a woman who's husband that died of an overdose," she shared. "It's just to bring more awareness to overdose and just to let others know that they're not alone in this."

"There's so much stigma that comes with drug abuse or any type of addiction," Kincaid continued. "We need to get in the forefront of that and say it's nothing to be embarrassed about, it's just like anxiety or it's a disease like cancer. It affects everyone. We just want to let everybody know they're not alone."

"Zero shame, zero judgment," chimed Denise Kennedy, another local advocate, whose daughter Ayla is still struggling with addictions.

She said parents of addicts tend to have an overwhelming sense to guide, protect, and lead their child. However, she said that isn't what they need.

"They need compassion, somebody to listen to them to hear what they're trying to tell us and acceptance. That's all it is. Let them know that you care. Let them know that when they're ready, they can come to you and you're not going to throw things in their face. You're not going to judge them, you're just you're there for them."

 The event, Stayin' Alive and Thrive is being hosted by the Weyburn Youth Centre, and will take place from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Knox Hall. Read more HERE.