Recovery Week is coming to Lloydminster, Aug. 31-Sep. 6.
The list of events offers a week of support, awareness, and community connection for those impacted by addiction and mental health challenges.
The week kicks off on Sunday Aug. 31, International Overdose Awareness Day. There will be a vigil at the Downtown Parklet on 49 Street, followed by a walk to City Hall where crosses will be placed to remember loved ones who have passed away.
The Vigil starts at 1:00 p.m., then at 2:00 p.m. the group will lead the Memorial Walk to the flags at City Hall.
“Between January 2016 and June 2024 Canada reported a total of 49,105 apparent opioid toxicity deaths alone. Last year saw 1,472 overdose deaths in Alberta and 336 deaths in Saskatchewan,” says Residents in Recovery.
Tuesday Sep. 2 – Naloxone Training Seminars will be held in the Klinger Conference Room at the Prairie North Plaza (4910 50 St.) from noon- 1:00 p.m. The room is across the hall from Suite 115. A second session will run from 7-8:00 p.m. at Residents in Recovery.
Wednesday, Sep. 3, Jon Rokochy with Assure Occupational Testing, leads the Addiction in the Workplace session. This is for managers, owners, human resource and safety professionals who want a compliant and practical approach to address substance use in the workplace. It takes place at the Thorpe Recovery Centre near Blackfoot from 9-11:30 a.m. Tickets available at Eventbrite.
Later that day, staff from the Thorpe Recovery Centre will lead Addiction in the Family from 6-8:30 p.m., again at the Thorpe Recovery Centre. Tickets available at Eventbrite.
Thursday, Sep. 4, From Criminal to Contribute – Stories of Change. This panel discussion features five people, Tyler Lorenz, Rebecca Miller, Joshua Lecky, Bryan Meesto and Kevin Snyder who were in active addiction and in and out of jail for most of their adult lives. They will tell their stories about the journey from criminal to contributor. They will be joined by Judge Kritzer from the Saskatchewan Court, and an RCMP member.
The conversation takes place at the Legacy Centre from 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.
On Recovery Day, Saturday Sep. 6, the week wraps with the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter hosting Running for Shelter at Bud Miller Amphitheatre from 11:00 a.m. Information to register or donate to Running for Shelter is available online.
Following the run, a community barbecue begins from 11:30 a.m.
Families can enjoy a Kids Zone with bouncy castles, while visitors explore resource booths, sponsor displays, and recovery gear sales from local organizations like Thorpe Recovery and Residents in Recovery.
After lunch, from about 12:45 p.m., there will be a great lineup of recovery speakers and a panel that goes until 3:00 p.m.
Organizers say the week is about celebrating recovery, reducing stigma, and connecting people with the resources they need.
