The Interior Health Authority is shining a light on the number of overdose deaths in the region, as the overdose crisis is into its fourth calendar year.

A candle display called “Burning Bright” is set up at the Kamloops downtown library this week. IHA mental health and substance use practice lead Jessica Mensinger says the 645 candles match the number of drug overdose deaths between 2016 and 2018.

“It really gives a visual representation of the extent of this crisis. Each candle is representative of a life lost in each of our communities in the Interior Health region, and I think it’s powerful because there’s so many,” Mensinger says.

“We want to bring the crisis to the forefront of our community, spark conversation. We know that stigma continues to be a significant barrier in people accessing services. So the more we can do to reduce the stigma associated with substance use, the better.”

Mensinger says 141 of those deaths in the past three years were in the Kamloops health area, which includes Sun Peaks, Barriere, Logan Lake and Chase.