For Immediate Release: Monday, August 12, 2019
The public is invited to attend the fourth annual Overdose and Prevention Vigil on Thursday, August 29 at 7 p.m. The vigil commemorates International Overdose Awareness Day, a global event, aimed at raising awareness of overdose and reducing the stigma of drug related deaths. The event will be held in the Executive Office Building cafeteria, located at 101 Monroe Street in Rockville. A resource fair featuring substance abuse prevention and treatment information will be held at 5:30 p.m.
The theme for this year’s program-“We’re All in This Together”- will be a gathering of education, remembrance and hope. Fatal overdoses have risen sharply and many community residents have been personally touched by addiction. One in five adults experience a mental health issue each year and yet there remains stigma attached to the issues of mental illness and addiction , which often causes people to suffer silently. Organizers hope by rallying together as a community, Montgomery County can combat the isolation and shame that can negatively impact prevention, treatment, support and recovery and that losses can be reduced.
Those wishing to have a loved one memorialized in a video can send up to eight photos, with name, date of birth and date of death to mcrememberingourlovedones@gmail.com . Submissions are needed by Thursday, August 22.
The event is hosted by S.O.U.L. (Surviving Our Ultimate Loss), a support group for families who have lost a child to a fatal overdose, in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, the Circuit Court’s Adult Drug Court, the City of Rockville and the Collaboration Council.
Free parking is available in the jury parking lot located at the corner of East Jefferson (Rt. 28) and Monroe Streets.
For more information, call 240-777-1400.
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