Community members who have been impacted by drug overdoses are invited to come together on Thursday (Sept. 1) at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte to remember those who have been lost, and encourage those who are suffering to find help.
The event honors National Overdose Awareness Day (Aug. 31) and helps kicks off Recovery Month in the county. Throughout the month, the Centre County Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education Initiative will also light the county courthouse purple at night and place 200 purple ribbons around the county to show support for the cause. Purple is the official color of Recovery Month.
Purple lapel pins are also available. The event at the courthouse takes place at 6:30 p.m.
“Since 2013, in Pennsylvania alone, over 31,000 individuals have lost their lives as the result of a drug overdose, with 147 of those happening here in Centre County,” Karri Hull, county director of criminal justice planning, said.
“Overdose deaths shatter families, friends and their communities. At least one in four families in Pennsylvania is impacted by the chronic disease of addiction.”
The events around the county look to educate and encourage those who are impacted to seek help and get treatment.
“It is estimated that there are over 23 million adults living in long-term recovery. And during a time when overdose deaths are still startling, the HOPE Initiative wants to remind everyone that prevention works. Treatment is effective and recovery is possible,” said Hull.
On Aug. 31, the HOPE Initiative participates in an event at Applegate Recovery, 915 Benner Pike, where free Narcan was available.
Commissioner Steven Dershem, who has played an active role in the HOPE Initiative, called Narcan “a lifesaver that can really make a difference in the future of your loved ones.” He thanked Hull and her staff for their efforts on the matter.
He said the remembrance service at the courthouse “is pretty important to remind us of what the mission is, and to help as many families that are still struggling with the loss of a loved one.”
Commissioners Mark Higgins and Michael Pipe both echoed Dershem’s appreciation of the efforts the department has taken, along with others in the community. Higgins said the work is saving lives.
“Here in Centre County, every death is tragic, every death has a story, but thankfully, due to your work, your staffs, the county drug and alcohol, and the many, many nonprofits we cooperate with, the number of people who pass away from drug overdose in Centre County is substantially lower than the central Pennsylvania average,” Higgins said. “So, please keep doing what you are doing, because you are probably literally saving a dozen lives each year.”
Hull said the work is a group effort by many organizations around the county that are also holding events around the county during Recovery Month.
