'I could feel him walking with us': Awareness walk in Regina remembers those lost to drug crisis
Community leaders renewed their push for awareness of Regina’s drug crisis at a walk in the north central neighbourhood on Friday.
“There’s a lasting impact rooted in historical trauma,” said Natasha Kennedy, Regina Treaty Status Indian Services (RTSIS) shelter case manager. “But it’s not just limited to the Indigenous community, it’s widespread.”
In August, the city marked a grim milestone.
Regina police statistics show 104 people have died of apparent overdose deaths in 2023, which is the fourth straight year more than 100 people have died of overdose.
“I’m actually not surprised by those numbers,” Kennedy responded.
One of them, 31-year-old Nehemiah Martin.
“He was a writer and a hair stylist. He was a good time,” his sister Holly described. “He wanted to do so much with his life but he got lost.”
“He had such a spirit and a heart of gold,” Holly said.
Nehemiah died on Sept. 9.
RTSIS has the goal to ensure no more names are added to the list.
“To create a safe and vibrant community, we need to be having these conversations,” Kennedy said. “When individuals are reaching out for supports, we need to have those resources readily available.”
On Friday, an awareness walk was held in Regina to remember those lost to the drug crisis. (Donovan Maess / CTV News)
At this rate, Regina is on pace to record more overdose deaths this year than ever.
“It’s troubling,” said RPS deputy chief Lorilee Davis. “The effects of grief and trauma on families and loved ones is so devastating.”
The walk was also an opportunity to educate the community.
On Friday, an awareness walk was held in Regina to remember those lost to the drug crisis. (Donovan Maess / CTV News)
Kennedy wants all people to be trained on how to administer naloxone to help those in crisis situations.
“If you’re not, you need to call out so we can support people potentially experiencing overdose,” she added.
For those participating, the walk was a chance to remember those taken too soon.
“It’s timely this happened today,” Holly said. “I could feel [Nehimiah] walking with us.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.