LYNN — Sunday marked International Overdose Awareness Day. To remember those lost to substance-related deaths, a series of purple ribbons was displayed around Central Square.
Each ribbon includes a piece of paper with the name of a local individual lost to addiction, and a list of sponsors that support substance abuse recovery. The sponsors include The Recovery Exchange, The Bridge Recovery Center, Chapters Recovery Center, North Suffolk Community Services, Scars in Heaven, and Turn it Around.
Aug. 31 has been officially proclaimed as Overdose Awareness Day in the Commonwealth since 2022. Recovery month is then held in September, while prevention month is held in October.
“Overdose Awareness Day is a somber reminder of the hope and resilience that exists alongside the grief of losing a loved one to overdose,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a press release. “Just one loss to overdose is too many, and Massachusetts remains committed to investing in evidence-based approaches to promote harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and prevention.”
“Today, we remember the lives lost and the families forever changed as a result of drug overdose,” stated Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “Overdoses are preventable, and in honoring those we have lost, we also reaffirm our commitment to supporting proven strategies that aim to reduce stigma and help save lives.”
Director of the Massachusetts Department of Health Bureau of Substance Addiction Services Deirdre Calvert described Overdose Awareness Day as a “time when communities can come together to look to each other for comfort and strength and to draw resilience for the work that lies ahead.”
Lynn is a member of the North Shore Public Health Collaborative (NSPHC), which offers educational resources regarding substance use and overdose prevention. These resources include harm reduction organizations, substance use helplines, and grief support after a substance passing.
Through the Lynn Public Health Department, people can find out how to get naloxone and fentanyl test strips, learn how to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses, and connect with local support and treatment options.
Mary Wheeler, Program Director at Lynn’s Healthy Streets Outreach, discussed the importance of raising awareness of harm reduction and prevention resources.
“Your life is important. Every person out here is loved by someone. Overdose death is preventable if people have the right tools and information,” Wheeler said. “There is support out there for you if you are currently using substances, trying to slow down or stop your use or are in remission or recovery. We are a smaller city but a mighty community here in Lynn.”
