Full Notification

International Overdose Awareness Day

What: International Overdose Awareness Day Event

Where: Arundel Christian Church
710 Aquahart Road
Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061

When: Wednesday, August 31, 2016 @ 7:45 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Who: Recovery Anne Arundel ROSC (Recovery Oriented Systems of Care)
Anne Arundel County Police Department
Anne Arundel County Fire Department
Anne Arundel County Department of Health
Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office
Anne Arundel County Executive Steven R. Schuh
Numerous state and county government officials

Background:

Originally started in Australia, International Overdose Awareness Day has been a key remembrance event for those who have died from fatal drug overdoses since 2001. Two community workers in Australia seized the opportunity to provide a platform to acknowledge the grief of family and love ones who have dealt with an overdose tragedy. They hosted a local event on August 31st where they distributed silver ribbons to anyone who wanted to remember someone who had died due to an overdose. The idea quickly spread and is now a globally recognized event where thousands of people worldwide will stand alongside the friends and families of fatal overdose victims to reflect on those who have been lost. The intent of IOAD is to not only respectfully remember those who have lost their lives by overdose, but to also raise awareness that overdose prevention is preventable.

For more information on the background, resources, and/or to support IOAD http://www.overdoseday.com/

Event:

On August 31, 2106, Anne Arundel County will be hosting our first International Overdose Awareness Day. Please join us in remembering those lives we have lost due to overdose and let our citizens know THERE IS HOPE! Recovery Anne Arundel ROSC in conjunction with the Anne Arundel County Executive’s Office, Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Health, State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Arundel Christian Church will host a candlelight vigil to honor those lives lost to overdose in our county.

International Overdose Awareness Day offers all who have been affected by overdose a chance to publicly mourn and help the community understand that fatal overdose is an issue that affects mainstream society. The day also serves as a warning that no one is immune to overdose. While this is a complex issue, it is not one without hope. This is a ‘time to remember and a time to act”. August 31st brings the community together to highlight treatment and prevention efforts in order to put a stop to this epidemic. In addition, we are gathering to show support for our amazing Anne Arundel County First Responders, who work so closely with behavioral health providers to carefully and compassionately understand the challenges of those suffering with the disease of addiction.

There were 383 overdose fatalities in Maryland within the first three months of 2016; with 45 reported in Anne Arundel County, this is triple the amount in the same time period from last year. In Anne Arundel County we have developed programs and resources to help combat addiction but we cannot do it alone. We need your help to raise awareness and help support those who need help. Please come out to honor loved ones, families, and friends that have suffered an overdose tragedy.

We invite you, your clients, colleagues, family members, and friends to join us on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 as we host a candlelight vigil starting at 7:45 pm at the Arundel Christian Church, 710 Aquahart Road, Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061. Doors will open to the public at 7:15 pm.