White Rock man shares recovery story before overdose awareness event

Todd Brewer, who spent eight years unhoused while living with addiction, will share his recovery story at a free International Overdose Awareness Day event in White Rock on Aug. 31.

Brewer, born in Toronto and raised in Nova Scotia, has lived in the White Rock-South Surrey area for about four years. The South Surrey White Rock Community Action Team event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at White Rock’s Memorial Park and Promenade. It will remember people who died from overdoses, acknowledge the grief of family and friends and raise awareness without stigma.

Brewer said recovery required more than getting sober: he needed support, housing and to rebuild his life in society. He said experiences related to his adoption, family history and abandonment contributed to struggles that began with his first drink at 12. By 17, he said, he could be labelled an alcoholic, and by 30 he was using hard drugs. Although he had periods of stability as a music teacher and musician, one relapse left him unable to return to that life.

He credits Sources Community Resources Centres and people in its programs with helping him rebuild. George Passmore, executive director of community services at the Sources Research Centre, said connection is fundamental to recovery, noting Brewer was hugged three times in his first five minutes at the Hub. Passmore said most overdose deaths involve people using alone, making the overdose crisis also a crisis of loneliness and disconnection.

Brewer said he made the decision to stop using on May 30, 2025, 15 months ago, and has been sober since, for more than a year. He hopes his story will help people and families affected by addiction and encourage institutions to see the human being at the centre of the crisis.

The event includes live music by Hidden Voices, stories from people with lived and living experience, an open mic, candlelight vigil, resource tables and a free barbecue from Don’s Smokies. Naloxone training and free kits, limited to one per guest while supplies last, will be available. More information about Sources Community Resource Centre is available at sourcesbc.ca.