Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society is holding a rally to create drug and gang free communities

Darpan is proud to be on board as a proud sponsor for their Drug & Gang Free Communities Event taking place on Thursday August 19th.

The Campaign is called Reach which stands for Realize, Educate, Accept, Communicate a Help in order to create a greater awareness and share available resources. 

This initiative of PICS is to address the issue of drug toxicity as seen in illicit drug dose deaths in BC.

As per the current statistics shared by BC Coroners Service, in May 2021 there were 160 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths. The total for the Fraser health region was the highest in the province at 291.  in B.C.  The number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in May 2021 equates to about 5.2 deaths per day. 

In 2021, 70% of those dying were aged 30 to 59. This is an increase in illicit drug toxicity deaths in this age category. Males accounted for 80% of deaths in 2021 to date, slightly higher than in 2019 (76%) and consistent with 2018 and 2020 (80%). The townships experiencing the highest number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2021 are Vancouver, Surrey, and Victoria.

PICS will be doing a car rally which will take place at PICS’s Head Office and will move throughout Surrey. 

The rally will end at the Bear Creek Park, where there will be a walk and activities highlighting resources for youth in the community to prevent addiction and gang involvement.

The entire event is taking place from 10am-3pm.