International Overdose Awareness Day Events

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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, a moving pre-game ceremony will share stories of those who have died from a substance use cause. Doors open at 5 PM—come together with the community to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and remember that they lived.