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Demonstrations were held in cities across the country to demand different levels of government take meaningful action to address the crisis by calling for an end to the war on drugs, the removal of barriers to health care including improved access to naloxone and opiate substitution therapy and the implementation of policies informed by drug users.

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People watch as protesters march past on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press

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Men watch from a balcony as people march down East Hastings Street during the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press

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Richard Mackie, right, carries a coffin to remember friends, family and community members who died as a result of overdoses as Char Henry, left, holds a photo of her best friend Mecca Jay, who died last month as a result of a drug overdose, during a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press

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A man holds a sign during a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press

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A woman carries a wood feather bearing the name Marcus Alfred during a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press

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A man kisses a woman while participating in a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press

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Dean Anderson holds up a sign before a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press

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Steve Cardinal participates in a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press

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A man shouts along with marching protesters as another smokes a cigarette while watching people during a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press

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People march down East Hastings Street during the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press

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