MONTICELLO, NY — The third annual International Overdose Awareness Day vigil will be held on Thursday, August 31 at 7 p.m. on the lawn of the Sullivan County Courthouse, located at 414 Broadway.

International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdoses. It recalls without stigma those who have died from an overdose, and acknowledges the grief of the family and friends left behind.

According to the New York State Department of Health, Sullivan County holds the highest rate of overdose per capita in New York State. It was also recently federally designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).

“Overdose Awareness Day is a way for our entire community to come together and understand that no one group or organization can fix this issue. Illegal drug use impacts the very soul of our community. We must support one another; despite our differences. We are stronger together,” said Wendy Brown, former coordinator of the Sullivan County Drug Task Force.

At the vigil, attendees will hear from state and local leaders about efforts to battle the opioid crisis in Sullivan County. 

Families will share their stories of loved ones who lost their battle with substance use. 

It’s a chance to remember those who have passed and celebrate those in recovery, organizers said. Attendees can learn about organizations and resources that have been created to face this crisis head on. 

A candlelight vigil will be held as the sun sets. 

The event will be complemented by local first responders, the Sullivan County Choir, an interpretive dance performance and bagpipers. All of this will be set against the backdrop of the Sullivan County Courthouse, which will be lit purple to symbolize overdose awareness.

“This evening serves as a platform for so many things. Each loss to overdose was someone’s someone; a brother, a child, a parent or best friend,” said Lindsay Wheat, outreach coordinator for Sullivan 180. “We always knew this was an important evening, but after the first year, we realized it was necessary. The only way to end this is to do it together.”

The event is the product of a community of organizations working ogether to end the opioid epidemic in Sullivan County. 

The focus of Sullivan 180 is to build a healthy community, one degree at a time, through people, places and policy with support from Bold Gold Media Group, the River Reporter, The Sullivan County Democrat, Manor Ink and WJFF Radio Catskill. Learn more at www.sullivan180.org or www.Facebook.com/Sullivan180inc. 

Story contributed by Sullivan 180.