Lethbridge Citizens walked to show their support for national addiction awareness week (NAAW) on Monday. The walk, which began at city hall, brought together various groups and individuals passionate about education surrounding addiction.

“It brings everyone together, it reduces stigma, it helps to provide accurate information [and] it provides an opportunity for networking,” said Ashlynne Ball, supervisor with McMan Youth, Family and Community Services.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) has made this year’s NAAW theme ending stigma surrounding addiction, giving it the name “stigma ends with me.” On its website, it says the organization wants to increase the public’s understanding of how stigma can affect individuals suffering from addiction.

“I really think that ending stigma is one of the most important things to address… we need to spread love instead of hate,” said Ball.

She believes the community can be more effective by coming together to solve problems, rather than focusing on an “us vs. them” mindset.

“We have to get people to help us, we can’t do it alone,” said Robbie Gros Ventre Boy, a member of the Sage Clan, a non-profit group of volunteers who provide assistance to people experiencing addiction or homelessness.

The group walks around downtown Lethbridge three or four times a week, handing out food and assisting people in various ways.

“If anyone has a problem, we help them out,” said Ventre Boy. He said the group cannot change people, but they can provide assistance in any way possible.

“I volunteer because I care for the people downtown,” he said. “I used to be like that before, not now. I am educated, I am well. I have my own family.”

Venture Boy says anyone can join the Sage Clan and their goal is to help the community as a whole, as well as individuals. They want to ensure the community is a safe place for everyone.

“I think we really need to pull together as a community [and] work together,” said Ball.