PHOTOS: Community Watches Wahlberg's 'If Only' Together

MARLBOROUGH, MA — The community came together on Wednesday evening, when 1,200 residents, including students, families and teachers, gathered to watch the dramatic film "If Only," produced by James Wahlberg, at three different school viewings in Marlborough.

This film was voted as the best 2015 Awareness Video and vividly shows how addiction affects not only the user, but entire families and communities, said an announcement from the Marlborough Public Schools.

Mayor Arthur Vigeant and Superintendent Maureen Greulich worked closely with the Marlborough Substance Use Prevention Coalition, chaired by Kathy Leonard, to coordinate the event.

On Jan. 11, Marlborough Public Schools showed the film to students in seventh through ninth grade followed by break-out sessions for students to discuss the meaning of the movie and how it affected them.

Sharon Buckley, Marlborough Public School’s director of guidance for grades 6–12, said in a statement, “A critical component of this event was to stimulate a dialogue among the students and adults to better understand the seriousness of the opioid epidemic which is plaguing the nation.”

More than 14 different community agencies and organizations committed to drug education and recovery gathered at the Whitcomb Middle School to share their resources with the community. James Wahlberg, the producer of “If Only,” was present at all three events and expressed, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to create a project that informs, educates and leads viewers to recognize the warning signs of opioid use and to participate in a solution.”

A number of parents who had lost their children to drug abuse were also present at the event and shared their powerful stories as well as photos of their loved ones, said the release.

Following the film, a Q&A session took place with a panel of speakers that included: District Attorney Marian Ryan, Police Chief Mark Leonard, Kathy Leonard, Dr. Arnold Hill, and Keith Duplisea and Mike Duggan, both recovering addicts committed to public education. All the speakers stressed the fact the drug crisis requires public awareness, engagement and commitment of all ages and community members. As Dr. Hill emphasized, drug addiction is a brain disease and its stigma needs to be reduced.

“I hope that those affected in any way by this epidemic will feel comfortable to come forward to receive help and support,” stated mayor Arthur Vigeant.

Information and photos via Marlborough Public Schools