Angela Welz, Edmonton, AB

Angela’s daughter Zoe died in November of 2016 at the age of 18 years old from a fentanyl poisoning. Zoe was a bright, talented, athletic and beautiful young girl in the prime of her life. She died alone - embarrassed and ashamed by the stigma and criminalization brought on by her mental health and addiction.

Since her daughters passing, Angela has become an advocate and leader for Moms Stop The Harm working to educate others by bringing awareness on the failing drug policies that are ravaging Canadian families reeling from the tragic losses of their loved ones to substance use harms. Among other things, Angela has organized International Overdose Awareness Day events in Edmonton and coordinated a national billboard campaign for MSTH in 2020.

Facebook - Overdose Awareness Edmonton

Angela also felt a calling to help other moms and families going through the anguish of losing a loved one and began a peer support group in May 2017. Shortly afterwards she became a regional leader for Healing Hearts Canada w/MSTH which provides peer support for families who have lost loved ones so substance use harms. She continues to run a peer support group in Edmonton providing monthly bereavement support.

She hopes to see mental health and addiction services be given the funding and attention it deserves someday soon.