Hundreds of shoes placed to remember those who died of an overdose in 2019

Hundreds of shoes were placed in Victoria Park on Monday to represent the people who died from an overdose in Alberta in 2019. (Sean Amato/CTV News Edmonton)

Edmonton — Hundreds of shoes were be placed in Victoria Park on Monday night in honour of International Overdose Awareness Day.

Empty Shoes for Overdose Awareness was organized by Moms Stop the Harm, and represents those who died in 2019.

Some of the shoes belong to parents of children who have died. Advocates say amid the pandemic the issue of substance abuse can't be ignored.

After the event shoes will be donated to Boyle Street Community Services and other community organizations.