The amount of drug overdoses in B.C. is more than a statistic.

Residents gathered to share the names of lost ones at the first International Overdose Awareness Day in Kelowna last night.

sa国际传媒淚t was amazing, it was absolutely amazing,sa国际传媒� said organizer Helen Jennens, of Mothersa国际传媒檚 Stop the Harm.

Jennens wasnsa国际传媒檛 sure how many people would be involved with the event, but more than 200 people gathered for the Candle Vigil in Stuart Park and 127 naloxone kits were distributed during the day with demonstrations on how to use them.

She had tears in her eyes as around 100 people shared the names of lost loved ones.

sa国际传媒淚 thought shame and stigma would keep people down,sa国际传媒� she said.

At the vigil sa国际传媒渁ll walks of life were represented there,sa国际传媒� she said.

sa国际传媒淲e really need to raise awareness around the issue of drug use, substance use, mental health and overdose deaths. There was a lot of people there who just had no idea how many families this is impacting. A large part of our community is suffering from this.sa国际传媒�

sa国际传媒淲e cansa国际传媒檛 gauge the problem until we understand it,sa国际传媒� she said, adding people are still stick in stigma and shame.

There was 18 service providers at the event in the morning where speakers shared their stories at Evangel Church.

Net year she aims to have more speakers and service providers.

sa国际传媒淭here was a lot of great support out there,sa国际传媒� she said.