International Overdose Awareness Day Events

“The Stakes Are High” is a powerful awareness event hosted by Turning Point to honor those who have died from an overdose. A sea of multi-colored flags—each representing a life lost in Massachusetts over the past ten years—will line the grounds. This striking display is meant to catch the attention of passersby, serving as a sobering reminder of the overdose crisis.

Come join us at this wonderful event commemorating the global campaign dedicated to remembering those lost to overdose, reducing the stigma surrounding substance-related deaths, and acknowledging the grief of those left behind. We aim to raise awareness about overdose prevention, highlighting that overdose is preventable and that effective solutions exist

Multi-recovery center collaborative event for overdose awareness month

In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, we invite you to take part in our annual Butterfly Release Ceremony. Each guest will receive a live butterfly to release and/or a packet of wildflower seeds to plant in memory of a loved one. This day is a global observance that raises awareness about overdose, honors the people who have died and supports those who live with grief. We gather to remember without shame. We gather to say you are not alone. This year’s theme: One Big Family, Driven by Hope. Please RSVP by reserving a free ticket for each person wanting to release a butterfly.

Candlelight Vigil

This vigil offers a space for the community to unite in grief, remembrance, and a shared commitment to addressing the overdose crisis. Everyone is invited to participate in this important event, regardless of personal impact or level of support.

Come together to remember and honor those we have lost to overdose. There will be a dedication of a new memorial tree, community support resources, and opportunities to share the names and memories of loved ones who have passed.

Join the Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative as we honor the lives lost to overdose and support those impacted by substance use. This heartfelt evening of remembrance, reflection, and community healing will feature speakers, resources, and a candlelight vigil to bring light to loss and hope to recovery.

We aim to elevate the voices of those who mourn, provide space for reflection, and reaffirm our duty to serve all patients with dignity—especially those who use drugs or face substance use disorders. This observance serves to: Remember those who have died from drug overdose. Acknowledge the grief of families, friends, and partners left behind. Confront and reduce the stigma surrounding substance use.

FREE EVENT: Speakers, music, food and resource tables

Anchored in Recovery has organized a rememberance vigil for those lost to substance overdose. Anchored in Recovery will have the DA of Middlesex and several other speakers.

Safe Harbor Cohasset and the Anchor of Hull welcome the community to our 8th Annual Candlelight Vigil on Wednesday, August 27th, from 6:30-7:30 PM on Cohasset’s Town Common. This event is held in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day- a global event that seeks to reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and acknowledge the grief experienced by family and friends, while raising awareness about overdoses and overdose prevention. The vigil will feature words of hope, remembrance, and expressions of community strength from local residents, clergy, and youth.

Please join us on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, for a Candlelight Vigil recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day. In memory of the lives lost to overdose in Massachusetts in 2024, 1,598 purple flags will be placed on the front lawn of the Walker Building.

The evening will feature a Memorial Slideshow, Guest Speakers, Free Narcan, and a Candle Lighting Ceremony.

In honor of IOAD and the strength we have through our communities, the Cambridge Public Health Department, the Access Drug User Health Program, the Cambridge Police Department, and the Cambridge CARE Team will gather at City Hall to recognize and honor the lives lost to opioid overdoses.

This event will take place from 5 PM to 7 PM on the front lawn of Dartmouth Town Hall. There will be a vigil to remember those who have died from an overdose. We will have food, supports and resources available for those who attend. This is a free event open to all.

This event and candlelight vigil are to recognize and honor the lives of those lost to overdose. The event will begin at 6 pm with resource tabling, Narcan training and distribution, luminary bag activity, and community networking. At 7 pm, the formal program will commence with speakers who have been affected personally, as well as those in the field who have experienced loss. The night will conclude with a luminaria memorial.

Come together in community to honor and remember those we have lost. Bring names and/or photos of loved ones to honor. Resources, candles, and ribbons will be available.

Candlelight Vigil featuring speakers, words of remembrance and a candle lighting service

REFLECTIVE CANDLELIGHT VIGIL...SPEAKERS, MUSIC, WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE, CANDLELIGHTING CEREMONY

Needham observes International Overdose Awareness Day annually to remember those lost to overdose and to combat the stigma surrounding addiction. The observance includes speakers, a memorial flag display, and distribution of informational and harm reduction materials. The event is free and open to the public.

Annual Town event honoring those lost to substance overdose.

In Remembrance of those lost to Substance use. Please join us to remember those who have passed and help bring awareness to the cause.

The MA Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), Boston Medical Center, and Boston Public Health Commission partner for the fourth year to host an IOAD memorial featuring over 20,000 purple flags honoring lives lost in Massachusetts to overdose in the past decade. Please join us on August 29th to plant flags, or through September 2nd to view them, visit resource tables, and honor your loved one by placing their name on a flag.

Honour those we’ve lost is by choosing to live fully—

This event is to honor all that has fallen to addiction. There will be resource tables, Tea lights, swag, information of local programs, and a moment of silence.
Guest speakers will be present from both the city and state. We will also have people with lived recovery telling their stories.
There will be flags to honor families and friend’s as well as our members of Hope for Holyoke.

A wonderful event to honor our fallen due to addiction. Resources available, flags, tlights, special guest8s speakers.

Join us Friday August 29, 5:00-8:30pm at “The Meadows” in Heritage State Park, Davol St in Fall River, MA. The event will feature providers and resources, a dove release, a special guest performer as well as speakers on grief and recovery. The Vigil will conclude with a memorial video of those we have lost to overdose.

In the LivingRoom is a live-streamed Facebook event that features interviews with people whose lives have been affected by overdose. This followed by a candlelight vigil and a "Calling of Names," where the names of friends and loved ones lost to overdose are spoken aloud in honor of their memory.

In remembrance of those lost to addiction, we will be holding a candlelight vigil at our center after our weekly NA meeting.

Join us for the second annual We Remember, We Recover event on August 30 at 12 PM at the Main Branch. This family-friendly event honors those lost to substance use disorder and celebrates those in recovery. Enjoy speakers, food, drinks, live music, activities, and connect with local organizations at our resource tables.

Join us from 6:00-7:00 pm for a resource fair at Tapestry Springfield, 1985 Main Street, Suite G, Springfield MA. From 7:00-7:30pm there will be a Remembrance Walk, from Tapestry Springfield to the steps of city hall, 36 Court Street, Springfield, MA. From 7:30-8:00pm there will be guest speakers, and the opportunity to share the impact overdoses have had on them personally and for the city of Springfield. From 8:00-8:30pm there will be a candlelight vigil and a moment of silence.

We will meet at the sea wall of the drawbridge to light our luminaries and have a vigil. Bags are availble all month to decorate.

The RECOVER Project and community partners will host an Overdose Awareness Vigil in Greenfield to honor lives lost to overdose, support those grieving, and promote overdose prevention. The event will feature personal testimonies, educational resources, and opportunities for remembrance, including a Purple Heart memorial, name readings, and a display of purple lights. All are invited to gather in solidarity, reduce stigma, and support recovery efforts in our community.

Join us in honoring those who have survived and those who have passed due to an overdose. We will have speakers, pictures of those who have passed, resources and groups for friends, family and loved ones, Tree of Life and inspirational artwork and memorial bricks to purchase to be place at the Garden of Hope.

Join us for International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 to remember and honor loved ones we’ve lost to overdose.

Together, Annually a day we..
 Honor & Remember those we have lost
 Hope and Pray for those still struggling
 Celebrate those in recovery

Join us for International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 to remember and honor loved ones we’ve lost to overdose.

Brief gathering at South County Recovery Center with refreshments and connection. Candle lighting at the center then a procession at the corner of State Road and Main St. We will hold the vigil under the hill where the GB hedge will be lit up purple.

Memorial service for the bereaved on the lawn at The Common followed by a procession to Park Square for our annual reading of the names and candlelight vigil.

To honor our loved one's legacy.

Join us on September 3rd from 4–6 PM at the WooSox game for a special remembrance event honoring International Overdose Awareness Day. Resource tables from SADOD, The Sun Will Rise, Learn to Cope, and Everyday Miracles will be available outside starting at 4 PM. From 4–5 PM the vigil will take place, with the on field segment starting around 5:30 PM. Doors open at 5 PM—come together with the community to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and remember that they lived. 

Luminaries, speakers, music, memorial video

Under the stars, we’ll light candles to remember those lost to overdose and show support for those struggling with addiction. This event symbolizes hope, compassion, and recovery. Together, we can raise awareness and stand against the darkness of overdose.

Please join us as we observe National Recovery Month with this wonderful event. We are gathering to celebrate recovery, raise awareness about SUD, and connect with our community. Food, fun, games and recovery!