MONTICELLO, NY — Overdose deaths are not limited to young people. They are all people.

According to the New York State Department of Health, Sullivan County holds the highest rate of overdose per capita in New York State; it recently received federally-designation as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).

On August 31, on the lawn of the Sullivan County Courthouse, state and local leaders, as well as families who have lost a loved one, gathered for the third annual International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil.

The vigil, organized by Sullivan 180, commemorated the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose. The goal of this awareness is to remember without stigma those who have died from overdose, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind. Twenty organizations were in attendance to share resources created to face this crisis head on.

As the sun set, with the Sullivan County Courthouse bathed in purple to symbolize overdose awareness, a candlelight vigil was held.