Around 150 people gathered in Regina’s North Central Neighbourhood for the 4th annual Smudge Walk.
The walk was to honour and remember those who have fallen victim to toxic drugs.
“I feel overwhelmed and happy in regards to the turnout. We have a great turnout. It’s grown over the years,” said Pamela Belanger, the organizer of the walk.
The walk began in memory of Belanger’s son who died as a result of toxic drugs near the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I had left and I got a phone call from the police, indicating that he was gone. I was stuck at home,” she said. “The first year I decided this smudge walk, since then it’s grown and so many people have lost their loved one[s] since then.”
According to the Saskatchewan Coroners Service, drug toxicity accounted for 218 deaths in 2024, with an additional 128 fatalities where drug toxicity is believed to be a factor.
Of those confirmed, 203 are considered accidental, while 14 are relate to suicide.
“We need to have supports in place for individuals with mental health issues. We need to support them. The government talks about meeting people where they’re at,” said NDP MLA Betty Nippi-Albright. “Yet when individuals are reaching out for help for mental health supports, there’s not enough out there.”
Belanger wished there had been more supports available and access to treatment when her son passed.
“They were just opening their harm reduction at the that time in 2021,” she added.
“I mean, I got the phone call at four in the afternoon. He could have been there and doing safe harm.”
Belanger hopes more change will happen in the future and plans to continue more walks to raise awareness about the tragic cost of addictions and drug toxicity.
