Annual International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil
Time to remember. Time to Act.
[Monticello, NY] The 5th annual International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil will be held on August 26th at 6 p.m. on the lawn of the Sullivan County Courthouse, 414 Broadway, Monticello.
International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, to remember without stigma those who have lost their lives, and to acknowledge the grief of the families and friends left behind. This annual event shines light on the importance to recognize and remember those who are and have suffered with the disease of addiction resulting in overdoses and deaths.
“While the topic is difficult and heartbreaking, this event brings awareness, support, courage, openness, and love to not only those suffering but to their family, friends, and the entire community. It is one of those events that leaves you better off for attending,” remarked Jeffrey Spitz, Executive Director at Restorative Management.
Community members are invited to attend and open their hearts as families share stories of loved ones who lost their battle with substance use; remember those who have passed and celebrate those in recovery; meet organizations and learn about resources created to face this crisis head-on; and participate in a candlelight vigil as the sun sets, accompanied by bagpipes against the backdrop of the Sullivan County Courthouse, lit purple to symbolize overdose awareness.
“This evening serves as a platform for so many things. Each loss to overdose was someone’s someone: a brother, a child, a parent, or a best friend,” said Lindsay Wheat, Outreach Program Manager for Sullivan 180. “We always knew this was an important evening, but each year, we realize how necessary it is. The only way to end this is to do it together, as a community.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although Sullivan County no longer holds the highest overdose rate in New York State—ranking sixth as of 2023—it remains among the most affected counties, despite ongoing efforts that have led to a significant reduction in overdose deaths in recent years. Sullivan County was also federally designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), meaning that Sullivan County is recognized as a critical area for intervention and support, necessitating a coordinated response from local, state, and federal agencies to combat drug trafficking and its associated consequences.
The International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil is presented by a community of organizations working together to end the opioid epidemic in Sullivan County. For more information, please contact Lindsay Wheat, Sullivan 180 Outreach Program Manager, at Lindsay@Sullivan180.org.