Easthampton to Recognize International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 26

EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton will host the annual International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) vigil this year on Monday, Aug. 26 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Millside Park.

IOAD is recognized each year on Aug. 31 to remember and honor lives lost to overdose. Easthampton and neighboring communities will be hosting IOAD events throughout the week in Western Mass., and residents of all communities are encouraged to attend.

The 2024 IOAD theme is “Together We Can,” which highlights the power of community when we all stand together.

According to the Penington Institute and the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2023, provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yielded an estimate of 105,303 drug-overdose deaths in the U.S. Two-thirds of these deaths involved synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl.

The Aug. 26 vigil will be hosted by the Easthampton Health Department, Easthampton DART, Learn to Cope, and Hampshire Hope. The event will include resource tables, activities for children and families to honor their loved one(s), guest speakers, music, and refreshments. The evening will close with a candlelight ceremony. For more information about IOAD, visit www.overdoseday.com.