Somerville Announces Overdose Awareness Day and Recovery Month Events

SOMERVILLE, MA — The city has announced the schedule of events recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day and National Recovery Month, with a candlelight vigil, memorial flag planting and free overdose prevention trainings planned from Thursday, Aug. 27 through Monday, Sept. 28. The events are intended to honor residents lost to opioid-related overdoses, recognize those in recovery, and provide overdose prevention resources to the community.

The events are organized by Somerville Prevention Services and include a memorial vigil, Narcan distribution, and virtual and in-person overdose prevention trainings throughout Recovery Month.

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The first event is scheduled for Aug. 27, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. outside City Hall on 93 Highland Ave. Eleven purple flags will be planted on the City Hall lawn in memory of Somerville residents who died from opioid-related overdoses in 2025, while one larger flag will represent residents lost in previous years. City Hall will also be illuminated with purple lights throughout September.

Mayor Jake Wilson said the annual observance provides an opportunity to remember those lost, support grieving families and reaffirm the city's commitment to prevention and recovery efforts. He encouraged residents to attend the vigil or visit the memorial display throughout September.

Additional events include a virtual overdose prevention training, held in partnership with the Cambridge Public Health Department, on Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. In-person trainings are also scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Central Library Auditorium on 79 Highland Ave.; Thursday, Sept. 24, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the East Branch Library on 115 Broadway; and Monday, Sept. 28, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the West Branch Library on 40 College Ave. Free Narcan, fentanyl test strips, CPR face shields and syringe disposal boxes will be available at the trainings.

"I'm very grateful the city continues to recognize the terrible toll opioid addiction brought on our community," Ward 1 Councilor Matt McLaughlin said. "There was a time when people didn't want to acknowledge it, but that did not hide the pain. The first step to recovery is to acknowledge we have a problem. The next step is to solve the problem."

Residents can register for the Sept. 1 virtual training online now. Narcan will also be distributed during the Aug. 27 vigil at City Hall.

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