Wilmington Plans Vigil As Town Records 40 Overdoses So Far In 2017

WILMINGTON, MA --Wilmington Police said they have responded to 40 opioid overdoses and that the town has recorded four overdose-related deaths so far in 2017. The department disclosed the statistics Monday in a Facebook post promoting an upcoming candlelight vigil to highlight substance abuses issues in the town.

The Wilmington Substance Abuse Coalition is hosting its second annual vigil on Thursday from 6-9 pm on the Town Common.

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More information is available on the Facebook event page. Among the speakers and groups participating in this year's vigil:

• Pastor Travis from the United Methodist Church
• Wilmington Police Department
• Addicts in recovery sharing their experiences
• Learn2Cope
• Alicia’s Angels
• Magnolia New Beginnings
• Matt Ganem of Banyon Treatment Center
• Brady’s Foundation
• Dean’s House
• Lahey Behavioral Health
• Music by Vin Colella, Steve Dineen, Renee Marcou, and John Murphy
• Mary Giroux
• Slideshow in honor of our lost loved ones.

The vigil comes as Wilmington considers a controversial plan to build a detox facility in North Wilmington. The proposal has split neighbors. Last week one of the key backers of the proposal backed out, but the remaining partners behind the proposed detox facility are moving forward through the permitting process.

Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).