Remembrance, standout, vigil, performance by national recording artist, to highlight Fall River’s Overdose Awareness activities

Recover Fall River will be hosting a memorial and stand out as part of Overdose Awareness with a special guest performance.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on August 31st each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.

This year once again, the community will gather to memorialize lost lives and to share hope for those still struggling, however, the place and date will be a little different this year.

Fall River Overdose Awareness Day will be taking place on Friday August 29th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at “The Meadows” Heritage State Park.

Resources will be available from 5:00-6:00 p.m., including Narcan, an effective medication used to reverse overdoses. At 6:00 p.m., the vigil begins with a dove release and speakers. At 6:30 p.m., nationally known recording artist Skyler Ray & company take the stage (bring lawn chairs). At 7:45 p.m., the memorial video consisting of photographs submitted by family members of the hundreds of local lives lost will be shown & a candlelit procession will take place along the boardwalk/water.

Also, on Friday, August 22nd, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Recover Fall River will stand together with members of the community to support individuals and family members who have been impacted by addiction and overdose. The event will support families who have lost loved ones and highlight the significant impact of addiction and overdose on not only the individual, but also their families and our entire community.

Family members, advocates and individuals who have been impacted by addiction and overdose will stand throughout the city. Family members who have previously submitted photos to Recover Fall River will be provided a poster sized enlargements of their lost loved one and citizens are encouraged to join them in support of destigmatizing addiction and overdose. Anyone is invited to join in this Stand Out in a statement of solidarity against overdose.

For those who want to send next-of-kin photos for those lost in Fall River of an overdose or want to volunteer, email recoverfallriver@gmail.com.