Good morning! 

International Overdose Awareness Day is coming up this Aug. 31, and two Sooke locals are hosting an event to end the stigma of overdose and addiction. Hosting the event for the third year in a row, read all about it and more in today’s edition of the newsletter.

— Emma

EVENTS

Sooke locals host overdose awareness event for third year in a row

Over the past few years, Ben Goerner and Melanie Cunningham have been working to end the stigma of overdose and drug addiction. The pair started an initiative in 2022 after losing people to drug addiction and realizing the importance of education and awareness. Now, for the third year in a row, Goerner and Cunningham are hosting an overdose awareness event, but this time, they are putting a spotlight on treatment models and proper education. 

“There's a lot of misinformation being spread around by very influential people right now, and so my motivation is to call that out and make sure that the public gets the right information,” said Goerner. “I'm in a position to do that from my experience and my relationships with peers and colleagues.” 

Goerner and Cunningham have both faced the realities and troubles of loving someone with addiction; Cunningham lost her son to drug suicide at 20 years old, and came face-to-face with dependency again when her second son who lives in Victoria also became addicted to drugs. Goerner, a Kelowna local, retired from clinical counselling in Sooke after he himself lost 50 patients between 2016 and 2019 due to overdose. 

Wanting to end the stigma, the pair came together and hosted an overdose awareness event to support anyone needing it. The event has become a way for people to remember their loved ones and to not only learn, but also share their experiences and stories with others. Whether people are dealing with addiction or love someone who is, Cunningham and Goerner say this is a great opportunity to find a community that understands. 

“My son and all the people that he associates with, they've become his family, and I know all of them and I know that regardless of the fact that they are substance users, they are all pretty decent people,” says Cunnigham. “They just deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and a lot of time they do not get it, so changing the way they’re approached is key.” 

The event will be hosted on International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, something that Goerner and Cunnigham have done over the past few years. The event will be hosted at the Evergreen Mall Kiosk at the Sooke Town Centre, and will include a number of different booths filled with education and information, including a naloxone station where attendees can learn how to properly administer naloxone. Going from 4 to 8pm, Goerner says there will also be a candlelight vigil ceremony in the evening to commemorate and remember those who have lost their lives. 

“Everybody knows someone who has substance use disorder,” says Goerner. “Putting their head in the sand and ignoring the situation is killing people, so we want people to come out and get some information and rethink the way we go about things.” 

The month of August is an important month of education, and represents International Overdose Month, and the Purple Ribbon Campaign. With the upcoming event, Goerner and Cunningham look forward to seeing the community show up.

NEWS

Making good on the green that’s there

View Royal and Langford are both working to make more green without spending it by improving local parks. In View Royal, Chancellor Park is getting a makeover this fall. The small park, which people use while on the Galloping Goose Trail or visiting Victoria General Hospital, will get $300,000 in upgrades. 

The plan includes making the park accessible to everyone, adding more seating, and creating natural gardens. Public input showed that people want these changes for a more enjoyable and sustainable space.

Though some had concerns, because of the park’s proximity to the Galloping Goose Trail, that a fence should be built to avoid potential bicycle and pedestrian collisions. Others noted that adding amenities like bathrooms or water fountains might encourage or invite undesirable use of the park, including sheltering and encampment.

In Langford, the city is expanding Porcher Park by buying nearby properties to add new features like a community garden and playground. Langford is also considering a deal with Walmart to increase green space through a creative land agreement.

These projects reflect a regional focus on improving existing parks to benefit the community and the environment. By enhancing these green spaces, both cities aim to offer better areas for relaxation, recreation, and connection with nature. 

For full details on each of these park upgrades in the Westshore, read the full story by Sidney Coles.

Around the 'Shore

🚔 Impaired driver crashes into Langford residential fence: West Shore RCMP reported that no one was injured after an impaired driver crashed into a residential fence in Langford around 9:45pm on Aug. 18. Emergency responders arrived on scene to find that the vehicle’s front end crashed into the fence of a home in the 2500 block of Selwyn Road, and that the driver appeared to be impaired. The driver was over the legal limit of alcohol allowed to drive, and was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days. [CHEK]

🐥 Metchosin animal rehab centre asks for help with baby ducks: The Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin is reaching out to the community for donations of white and light-coloured pillowcases to help out some orphaned ducklings that are in need of some nesting. The group says that the ducklings rely on soft, clean, layered bedding and that anyone looking to help can drop off pillowcases at 1020 Malloch Rd. from 9am to 6:30pm throughout the week.  [Sooke News Mirror] 

🌪️ Waterspout watch off Vancouver Island: Environment Canada has issued a waterspout watch for the BC south coast and the Vancouver Island west coast and is warning mariners to avoid voyages if they can. Waterspouts are a whirling column of air and water mist, and can be separated into two categories: tornadic waterspouts and fair-weather waterspouts. There are also strong wind warnings in effect over the Juan de Fuca Strait, reaching up to a possible 25 knots tonight. [Times Colonist] 

Community Events

📚 Storytime at the Sooke library: Join the community at the Sooke branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library for storytime this Aug. 23. Best suited for ages under five (but available for everyone), this free event is a great opportunity for families to help connect to others in the area. Aug. 30 will be the last date for storytime.

🏈 Westshore Rebels game: Head down to Starlight Stadium this Aug. 24 to watch the Westshore Rebels take on the VI Raiders Football Club in the Battle for the Rock. Starting at 7pm, with doors opening at 6pm, the Superheroes of Victoria will also be in attendance with Spiderman, Ironman and more to cheer on the teams. 

🖌️ Arts and crafts supply sale and swap: Check out the Sooke Arts Council’s arts and crafts supply and swap this Aug. 24 at 2043 Church Rd. Going from 10am to 2pm, guests will have the chance to explore a range of art supplies, including some unused items, and pick up what they need.

What’s Offshore?

No ships today!

Westshore Snaps

Foggy morning in Oak Bay marina. —Judee Doyle, Parksville

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to another Westshore local.

And before you go, let us know: