Braintree Holding Ceremony For International Overdose Awareness

BRAINTREE, MA — Aug. 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, and the town will take part with a brief ceremony Monday.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on Aug. 31 each year. It aims to raise awareness of overdoses and reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths. The day is also meant to acknowledge the grief felt by friends and family as they remember their loved ones.

The ceremony was scheduled for 10 a.m., on French's Common. Scheduled events include a prayer, a proclamation from Mayor Charles Kokoros and a release of butterflies.

Anyone planning to attend the event should make a reservation with Lyn Frano, the town's substance abuse prevention coordinator. She can be reached by calling 781-794-8146 or at lfrano@braintreema.gov. Attendees must wear a mask and maintain social distance.

There will also be a virtual vigil at 7 p.m., Aug. 31 on Facebook Live for Quincy, Weymouth and Braintree residents. To submit a picture for the virtual vigil video, or to see if a friend or loved one is already on the list, go to thesunwillrise.org/namesforvigil. Loved ones can also reserve a candle and live butterfly to release during the vigil.

The candles and butterflies can be picked up from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Aug. 31 in the parking lot of Braintree Town Hall at 1 John F. Kennedy Memorial Dr. Quincy residents can pick them up from 10 a.m. to noon, Aug. 31, at the New Way Recovery Center at 95 Quincy Avenue. Weymouth pickup was scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon outside Town Hall at 75 Middle St.