International Overdose Awareness Day

On August 31, 2020, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day, and September is National Recovery Month. Here are some ways that you can help us send a message of support and hope for recovery:

Learn about virtual recovery services and share this information with others:

The social distancing necessary to control the spread of COVID-19 can make it difficult for people in recovery to connect with others and access support. Groups like Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and Herren Project (among others) are offering virtual recovery meetings and resources during the pandemic. We have a list of additional resources at www.somervillema.gov/coronavirushelp.

Light your home or business with purple lights; tie a purple ribbon on your tree or fence:

Tie a purple ribbon on your yard/fence, hang a string of lights or swap your porch light out for a purple light bulb, or place a purple light in a window (if you have electric holiday candles, you could purchase purple bulbs for them). Leave them up either for Overdose Awareness Day or all week as City Hall will do to observe National Recovery Month.

Change your social media profile photo to one of the photos available at www.overdoseday.com/downloadable-resources, or post the image, or tweet with the hashtag #iOAD2020 or #RecoveryMonth.

Become a Recovery Coach:

If you are interested in learning more about how to support those impacted by addiction, the City’s COHR (Community Outreach, Help & Recovery) program will be offering the nationally approved CCAR Recovery Coach Academy in September. To learn more, contact Patty Contente at pcontente@police.somerville.ma.us or (617) 625-6600, ext. 7281.

Share all of the above with others so we are loud and clear in our message of support and hope.

— City of Somerville