Kylie Walker passed away long before her time and no parent should have to bury their child.
On Thursday, October 27th, 18-year-old Kylie died of an accidental drug poisoning. Her mom is now looking to cover the costs of her beloved daughter’s funeral.
Since her passing, Kylie’s mom Angela has started a GoFundMe to help her cover the cost of her daughter’s funeral.
The goal of the fundraiser is $10,000 and at the time of this publication, $2,620 has been raised.
Angela told Victoria Buzz her daughter loved basketball, beading, reading, drawing and swimming.
She said Kylie was a fun-loving, good person who was a great friend to all whose lives she entered.
Kylie was a sister to an 8-year-old brother, a beloved daughter and a friend to many.
Angela’s daughter took drugs along with a group of five friends who also suffered overdoses from the same supply.
Illicit drug poisonings are on the rise locally.
At the beginning of October, Island Health put out a drug poisoning and overdose advisory to warn people who use drugs of the toxic supply circulating. That advisory was lifted on October 11th.
In August of 2022 alone it was estimated that 169 British Columbians lost their lives due to drug toxicity. 13 of those deaths were recorded in Victoria, according to the BC Coroners Service.
Island Health suggests that people who use drugs follow these steps to remain safe while taking drugs:
- Have your drugs checked at your local Overdose Prevention Service (OPS)
- Carry Naloxone and have an overdose response plan
- Do a tester; try a little before your regular hit
- Fix with a friend; if alone, be close to help
- Try the LifeguardApp on your phone www.lifeguarddh.com
- Contact the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-6677
- Stagger your use with a friend, so someone can respond if needed
In Victoria there are four drug testing locations that also cary harm reduction supplies such as Naloxone:
- Howard Johnson – 310 Gorge Road East
- The Harbour Inhalation Site – 926 Pandora Ave
- The Harbour Supervised Consumption Site – 941 Pandora Avenue
- Victoria Cool Aid Society – 535 Ellice St.
Naloxone can also be acquired for free from any pharmacy and Island Health strongly recommends having it on hand if drugs are to be taken.
