LYNNFIELD – A Night of Hope colored the Lynnfield Common in purple and brought more than 200 people of all ages together on Sunday evening to acknowledge the issues of substance-use disorders and celebrate National Recovery Month.
A Healthy Lynnfield (AHL) and the Think of Michael Foundation came together to sponsor this third annual free community event, designed to build awareness and to create a sense of community and support for individuals and families who are faced with the impact of substance-use disorders, said Peg Sallade, substance-use prevention coordinator at AHL.
“National Recovery Month recognizes the journey that people that have substance-use disorders embark on to remain healthy,” said Sallade. “It is meant to celebrate hope and encourage others who struggle with the disease of substance abuse in a very encouraging way.”
During the pandemic, substance-use rates have increased nationally, said Sallade. As of June 2020, 13 percent of Americans reported starting or increasing substance use as a way of coping with stress or emotions related to COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 40 U.S. states have seen increases in opioid-related deaths, according to the American Medical Association.
“Substance use knows no borders,” said Sallade. “Lynnfield is not unlike any other community.”
“I lost my son to the addiction and we wanted to do something in his memory,” said Carmela Dalton, Lynnfield resident and president of the Think of Michael Foundation, which provides sober house scholarships and recovery advocacy. “This is a fine night to get everybody together in the community, to make the community aware of the addiction, talk about it, erase the stigma, and it worked out well.”
In 2019, 600 people came out to the first Night of Hope in Lynnfield. Last year, the event took the shape of a car parade due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Now we are making a positive effect because people are coming to us and asking for advice, seeking help, which is good,” said Dalton. “If we can prevent tragedy from happening to another family, it makes us really feel good. Just helping everybody and helping people talk about it. I can’t bring my son back, but it is a good feeling when we see that there are people in recovery and they are doing well.”
The event brought together residents and town visitors, partners from the faith community, town officials, and politicians. State Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) and Rep. Bradley Jones (D-North Reading) attended the event.
Purple is the color that marks the theme of recovery, so attendees received and wore pastel purple T-shirts with “A Night of Hope” on the front surrounded by white-and-yellow stars, and “Think of Michael Foundation” and “A Healthy Lynnfield” on the back. Purple lapel ribbons were also available.
The crowd gathered at the Lynnfield Middle School at 6 p.m. and walked down to the Lynnfield Common, which volunteers decorated with purple ribbons and flags. Guests were invited to take purple votives and write messages to somebody who struggles with addiction on purple paper stars.
The speaking portion of the event took place from a stage in front of the Old Meeting House, lit with a purple projection as well.
“Your presence is more than a walk,” said the Town Administrator Rob Dolan to the crowd. “You are making a statement. Instead of watching from the sidelines you are making a stand to improve our community.”
Dolan said that Phil Crawford, town selectman and chairman of AHL, had an idea for the town’s response to the substance-use epidemic in 2017, and Crighton and Jones helped the town secure the funding for the Lynnfield Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition in the form of $100,000 over the next two years, as well as a federal grant of more than $1 million.
“Our goal at the time was to bring awareness, education, and resources for those in need. We continue to have tremendous community support,” said Crawford. “Together we work to prevent substance misuse to improve the quality [of life] for those impacted and to support programs that help all young people thrive.”
Jamie Dalton, son of Carmella and Select Board Chair Dick Dalton, spoke about his experience with substance-use disorder and the decision to start his personal recovery on Jan. 18, 2018 after his brother Michael’s death.
“I’ve learned that stars can’t shine without darkness, and my past has given me the strength which led to the wisdom I have today. So I celebrate my past and don’t let it haunt me. I have been inspired and gotten hope from so many in the recovery community and many that are here tonight,” said Dalton.
Dalton, who has a background in financial advising and wealth management, said that he now works as a recovery coach at North Suffolk Mental Health and serves on the board of Recovery Works, a nonprofit program at Massachusetts General Hospital that helps people with substance-use disorders find employment. The organization received $200,000 in its first year and $800,000 the following year in funding with the help from Jones and Crighton.
“My hope is that by having this event and others like it, bringing so many people together in the local community and the recovery community, we create hope for a better tomorrow and we continue to make strides in recovery in all forms across all levels of care and increase access to all levels of care,” Dalton said.
Keriann Caccavaro, who is a program director at the Bridge Recovery Center in Malden, also spoke about her personal experience with addiction and recovery.
“If it wasn’t for the recovery community, I don’t think I would be staying here today,” she said. “We fight every single day to live, not to die.”
As it started to get dark, everyone lit candles inside purple votives for a closing prayer. Several faith leaders from various denominations said prayers for those who are on the road to recovery, those who made it through their first day of sobriety, and for those suffering from mental illness of any kind.
“Let’s commit to make every night the night of hope,” said Dolan, bidding farewell to the crowd. “You are part of the solution.”
Alena Kuzub can be reached at [email protected].
