Here are International Overdose Awareness Day events happening in the Delaware Valley.
Wednesday, Aug. 26
Newark, Delaware
East Main Street and Old College Avenue
6:30 p.m.
Organizer: atTAck addiction, New Castle County chapter
The local county chapter will host a candlelight vigil and provide community resources, including information about Delaware’s 911 Good Samaritan Law.
Georgetown, Delaware
Attendees will meet at the Georgetown Circle for a candlelight vigil to honor those who’ve been lost to overdoses, as well as people who are still struggling with addiction. There will be community resources and support services on site.
Thursday, Aug. 27
Hamilton, New Jersey
Veterans Park North, Klockner Road entrance
5:30 p.m.
Organizer: Mercer Council
The annual remembrance event is an opportunity for people to come together and mourn loved ones lost to overdose, raise awareness about addiction and push for more prevention, treatment and education. There will be guest speakers, a memorial display and a candlelight vigil, as well as grief, recovery and treatment resources. Registration is encouraged.
Saturday, Aug. 29
Philadelphia
Corporal Jimmy O’Connor Memorial Recreation Center, 4330 Deerpath Lane
5 p.m.
Organizer: Never Surrender Hope
Attendees will join to remember and honor those lost to overdoses. There will be a walk, a candlelight reading of names and guest speakers.
Somers Point, New Jersey
Participants will meet on the beach to honor, remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones who were lost to overdoses. People are encouraged to bring chairs and a picture of their loved ones. There will be guest speakers, light refreshments and community support.
Sunday, Aug. 30
Newark, Delaware
Glasgow Regional Park, Pavilion 5, 2275 Pulaski Highway
3 p.m.
Organizer: US Drive AKS
The Purple Mile Overdose Awareness Community Walk and Picnic will include a walk, remembrance activities, recovery and resource information and food.
Monday, Aug. 31
Philadelphia
The Changing Narratives Through Art and Storytelling event will feature artwork and stories from Philadelphians with lived experience of substance use and addiction. There will be food, family activities and resources from city organizations.
Philadelphia
Participants will meet at the Huntingdon Station stop on SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line, at Kensington Avenue and East Huntingdon Street, and walk north to Prevention Point in honor of those lost to drug overdoses and substance use.
Springfield, Pennsylvania
Attendees at the Delco overdose awareness and memorial walk will meet at the cemetery in support of families and friends who have lost loved ones to overdoses and substance use disorder. Welcome remarks begin at 6:15 p.m. before a short walk around the cemetery. There will be resource tables, water and pretzels.
Brookhaven, Pennsylvania
Brookhaven Municipal Center, 2 Cambridge Road
7 p.m.
Organizer: REAL Church
Participants will meet at Memorial Island/Butterfly Garden across from the municipal building “for an evening of remembrance, hope and community.” There will be a candlelight vigil, remarks and local resources for those facing grief, loss, addiction and mental health challenges.
Blackwood, New Jersey
Timber Creek Park, 236 Taylor Ave. and Chews Landing Road
7 p.m.
Organizer: Camden County
Camden County will hold its Remembrance and Hope Memorial Vigil, rain or shine, to honor the lives lost to the overdose epidemic and to support families and communities affected by addiction. The ceremony will feature guest speakers, personal tributes and prayer, resource information, a live acoustic performance, video and musical presentations and more.