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South Surrey vigil aims to remember overdose victims, raise awareness

Candlelight event set to get underway at 7 p.m. Friday
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South Surrey’s Cheyenne Sekura died Feb. 22, after taking cocaine that a coroner determined had been laced with fentanyl; Brodie Clements died two months later, also from cocaine and fentanyl. (File photos)

The families of two young South Surrey adults who died earlier this year from overdoses linked to fentanyl have planned a candlelight vigil for Friday evening to mark International Overdose Awareness Day.

The 7:30 p.m. event at the South Meridian field – as with one set to take place in Vancouver on the same evening – is “to remember our loved ones who have succumbed to an ever-growing opioid overdose crisis and to bring awareness to those who have not.”

Cheyenne Sekura, 26, and Brodie Clements, 25, died exactly two months apart – Sekura in February and Clements in April.

Their families shared their stories with Peace Arch News in June, in the hopes of shedding light on the crisis, which last month claimed 134 lives in B.C., according to statistics from the BC Coroners Service.

READ MORE: ‘My friends aren’t going to sell me stuff to hurt me’: South Surrey overdose victim

READ MORE: South Surrey overdose victim ‘had so much going for him’

Friday’s vigil is open to anyone interested in attending. Wristbands, pins and candles are to be handed out starting at 7 p.m., followed by candle-lighting and a moment of silence at 7:30 p.m.

Guest speakers, including Sources Community Resource Centre’s George Passmore – the organization’s manager of counselling and substance use services – are to share a few words starting at 7:45 p.m.; closing words and an opportunity to network begin at 8:15 p.m.

The field is located at the corner of 163 Street and 12 Avenue.



Tracy Holmes

About the Author: Tracy Holmes

Tracy Holmes has been a reporter with Peace Arch News since 1997.
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