As our communities try to take away the stigma surrounding seeking help addiction and drug use, a Warriors in Recovery walk will take place next Thursday.

Everyone and anyone is welcome to raise awareness for those battling addictions as well as remember those who have passed away due to their battles with drugs. 

Jonathan Pashe, a co-founder of Warriors in Recovery, says that the drug problem in our communities is an urgent and escalating issue.

"The purpose of this walk is to raise awareness, educate and take collective action to combat this devastating impact on our communities and surrounding communities. We stand united to support those affected by drugs and all related tragedies and to prevent further loss."

Jonathan says that he hopes the walk shows the strength of looking out for others.

"Our focus is on prevention and education, and equipping individuals with the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions by raising awareness about the dangers of drugs. We hope to empower our community  to take proactive measures against substance abuse."

The walk will commence at the Portage Friendship Centre at noon on February 22 and conclude at Portage City Hall. Jonathan says that every step is attributed to the lives affected by this crisis.

"We urge community members to actively engage in conversations about substance abuse, share information and support initiatives that promote drug safety. Together, we can create a safer and more informed community, reducing the impact of fentanyl and saving lives."

Terri-Lynne Myran, a co-founder of Warriors in Recovery, says the recovery walk is an effort to raise awareness about hurting communities.

"In a hurting world, what we do share in common is a love for one another. It's a hurting world out there, but regardless of the things that anybody or myself has done to hurt the world, we can own up to our mistakes. We can own up to our wrongs. We can own up to our disrespect, and we can change that. We can change the narrative. We can do better. We can be better. Living in Recovery doesn't mean that you have to give up all that hurt and all that disrespect for something foreign to you. It means that there's a better life, not just for you, but for your communities. And in turn, that'll be a better world for everybody."

Sierra Myran, a co-founder of Warriors in Recovery, told PortageOnline that she hopes events like this can reduce stigma.

"Nobody picks up a bubble and just decides, 'I'm going to use meth for the rest of my life.' Nobody wants to just sell drugs for the rest of their lives, either. There had to be something that happened. Lots of it is a result of the intergenerational trauma from our ancestors and the ones that were scooped up in the 60s and attended boarding schools, day schools, and residential schools. We weren't taught how to love and have family connections and relationships with other people. We were taught to shut up, be quiet, and take things as they are. And with all the drugs coming into play now, that's us trying to cover up our hurt."

Sierra says that she had firsthand experience selling and buying drugs before turning her life in another direction, and she hopes people can find inspiration in her story.

"There's hope for other people, too. I'm coming at it from a personal perspective of, 'I did these bad things. I want to do better. I want to be able to help people with my experience and the knowledge that I have today.' I'm a case manager for a high-standing corporation. I help people retain and find housing, and I provide wrap-around support. But I didn't just get that; I had to do the work and recover, and I had to find a lot of these supports on my own. I had to do it on my own, and today, I don't want these people to have to struggle the same ways that I had to." 

The co-founders note that they encourage everyone to bring posters of loved ones they have lost to addiction.