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| Video: Lawn Display Created at Lowville NRCIL for International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 August 29, 2020 03:00 p.m. By: Nick Altmire |
held each year on August 31. Its purpose is to raise awareness of overdoses, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends. In an effort to combat stigma and bring awareness to drug overdoses that are happening here in Lewis County, Lewis County agencies, including the Northern Regional Center for Independent Living, Credo Community Center for Addiction, Mountain View Prevention Inc, and the United Prevention Coalition of Lewis County, have formed the Overdose Awareness Alliance of Lewis County. As part of International Overdose Awareness Day on Monday, August 31st, the agencies are “painting the town, agencies, and ourselves” purple with a social media awareness campaign. All community members, agencies and their staff, and youth are encouraged to wear purple that day and post their pictures using the hash tags #endoverdoses or #overdoseaware. Members of the community wishing to show support for the cause are cordially invited to join in front of the Lowville Town Hall Theater on Monday, August 31st at 3pm to pose for pictures in front of the marquee. The marquee will be commemorating the day with an encouraging message and to show support for the families and community members grieving in the wake of an overdose death. Participants are asked to wear purple, to respect social distancing, and to wear masks. Pictures will be shared on local agency social media pages as well with local media. An impactful lawn display has been created at the Lowville NRCIL office on Jackson St. with rows of purple flags, each representing a Lewis County resident lost to an overdose since 2014 according to NRCIL staff. There are 2 flags in the row for 2014, 12 for 2015, 25 for 2016, 31 for 2017, 27 for 2018, 28 for 2019 and 20 to-date in 2020. You can see our video above the article where we discuss the display and events for Overdose Awareness Day with NRCIL staff members Donna Hlad and LucyJo Tuttle. |
