During this month, Voices of Hope will reflect, honor and remember those who have lost their life to overdose or as a direct result of addiction. The month ends with our 7th Annual Overdose Death Candlelight Vigil. This year, it will be at the Elkmore Marina due to the local parks not scheduling groups. Just when I think I couldn’t be more shocked or numbed by the amount of overdoses, when 2020 was looking like our overdose death rates were actually going down, COVID hit and overdoses wiped out a whole new round of friends and family.
I could rattle off a bunch of numbers that show how many more people are dying than ever before. I could try to show you how much Narcan we have distributed in our effort to help or how many referrals to inpatient we have completed. Some days, it feels like we are bailing out a sinking ship with a teaspoon. But I know we make a difference. To those individuals and families that we help to access treatment, it means the world. Each life matters. Each life represents a family who wants every member in it to be healthy and whole. Every loss will be felt forever and we mourn them together as a community and strive to fight for prevention, intervention and recovery supports.
This is our month to recognize our losses. Please join us.
What: 7th Annual Voices of Hope Overdose Memorial Candlelight Vigil
When: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm on Monday, August 31, 2020 – International Overdose Awareness Day
Where: Elkmore Pavilion, 30 Park Lane, Elkton, MD
Details: Come and decorate a candle luminary (provided) for your loved one. Bring posters or pictures. Pastor Phil Meekins will pray for all of us and our community. We invite you to speak at the open mike, several speakers have already committed. Rob Massimiano has volunteered to donate his time and talent to play acoustic music for this event. Please bring a mask and stay socially distant for the comfort of all, especially those at risk. Bring a chair, if you would like. This is a family friendly event and there is a playground nearby. Narcan training will be provided.
Thank you – Jennifer Tuerke, Executive Director
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