A spike in opiate overdose deaths locally prompted Parker’s Chrysler to lend a helping hand in memory of one its own.
Colin Parker, 39, struggled with addictions in his life and sadly two months ago he lost that battle while he was in Richmond.
To help others battling substance abuse problems Parker’s decided that during the month of December for every new or used vehicle sold they would donate $100 and in addition $10 from each oil change will go to Pathways Addiction Resource Centre.
“We decided to do it because Pathways is an organization that Colin Parker contributed to himself,” said the dealership’s general manager Jim Tabler. “Ultimately because of what Pathways does with regards to drug and alcohol addiction it was something we felt based on the issues that Colin had in his life it was an organization that we would like to raise some money for.
“He did struggle with drug and alcohol abuse and ultimately his death was a result of that.”
See more: Watch full video of overdose crisis town hall meeting
Tabler added the rash of overdoses locally, jumping as much as four-to-five times the normal level, due in large part to the increasing availability of the powerful opiate fentanyl, was a factor in donating the money to the centre.
“It’s something the organization is dealing with and if we can raise some money I think it would help them immensely,” he said. “Colin had mentioned it to me once upon a time that that was an organization he definitely saw some value in and if there was some fundraising that we would like to get involved with, that was an organization he would like to see have an opportunity and his mother (Janet) is of the same opinion.”
Colin’s father Chris predeceased his son.
Donations can also be directly to Pathways by going to http://pathwaysaddictions.ca/how-you-can-help/.