Flags of Hope event will give loved ones a way to honour those lost to addiction

By Gillian Slade on November 9, 2017.

Medicine Hat News

A special event will take place in Medicine Hat as a memorial to the lives lost to addiction and overdose.

It will be a way for their loved ones to come together, on Nov. 16 at Medicine Hat College in room F160 from 6-8 p.m.

Flags of Hope is a memorial event that will give those impacted by the overdose of a loved one the opportunity to create flags in memory of that person, says Kari Ursulescu of the Medicine Hat Drug Coalition.

There is no charge to attend the event and supplies for the flags will be provided.

The concept of the little flags, which are about eight inches by eight inches in size, comes from a Tibetan tradition of making “prayer flags” that are strung together and hung to spread energy around as they waft in the wind, said Ursulescu.

The flags made on Nov. 16 will also be strung together and will be on display at future related events in Medicine Hat to honour those whose lives have been lost, said Ursulescu.

Naloxone training will also be provided at the event. Naloxone is used to treat a narcotic overdose in an emergency situation.

One person with a personal experience of loss related to an addiction overdose will share their story as well.