Salem Commemorates International Overdose Awareness Day 2015

So far this year, there have been 88 drug overdoses in Salem, with 10 of those being fatal.

Salem will be taking part in International Overdose Awareness Day on Monday, August 31 to provide an opportunity for residents to reflect on practical ways to prevent overdoses in our community, according to Mayor Kim Driscoll.

Overdose Awareness Day events aim to educate communities about drugs and can help increase awareness about this growing issue that has hit numerous cities and towns across the state hard.

“Each year we lose thousands of people from drug overdose across America,” said Driscoll. “Some survive, but suffer a permanent injury, with devastating impacts to their families and friends. Salem is not immune. You may have seen it, it’s happened to people around you, and tomorrow it could happen to someone you love. This is not an invisible issue.”

Salem will be marking the day by raising a purple flag, the symbol of International Overdose Awareness Day, on Monday over Salem City Hall. City employees and others are encouraged to wear purple on August 31, as well, to help commemorate the day.

Finally, all are invited to a public gathering in Derby Square in downtown Salem on August 31st from noon to 12:30 p.m. The goal of the gathering is to bring together at least 88 people wearing purple to stand together in representation and support of the 88 Salem residents who have suffered an overdose so far this year, as well as their families.

The city will have Overdose Awareness Day t-shirts for the first 88 people at the gathering. Ten of the 88 will be given a black shirt to represent the ten fatalities from overdoses so far in 2015 in Salem. Those with the t-shirts will be asked to wear them for a group photograph at approximately 12:15 p.m., however all are invited to attend and be part of the occasion. The rain location for the event is inside Old Town Hall.

“This is our opportunity as a community to come together and help recognize the loss we have all suffered,” Driscoll said. “I hope people will join us in wearing purple on August 31 to show their support for finding solutions for a safe and healthier community, to raise awareness, and to remember those whom we have lost.”

More information about the international efforts are available online here.