Exhibit on Impact of Opioid Epidemic in the Berkshires to Appear Across County

PITTSFIELD — A powerful exhibit that puts the spotlight on the real human impact of the opioid epidemic in Berkshire County will be appearing in several locations in the region through the end of September. Pop-up displays of “Into Light,” sponsored by Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) and presented by the Berkshire Overdose & Addiction Prevention Collaborative (BOAPC) and the North Berkshire HEAL Coalition, will be exhibited at six BHS facilities and three community locations.

“Into Light,” which has helped to raise awareness of the critical work organizations like Berkshire Harm Reduction, treatment providers, recovery centers, and others are doing in the community, features hand-drawn portraits of Berkshire residents who were lost to substance use disorder (SUD), along with additional drawings of many others from across Massachusetts who also succumbed to SUD. The exhibit was initially shown at the Hotel Downstreet in North Adams this past spring. Segments of that exhibit can be viewed at the following locations:

• Berkshire Health Systems (Fairview Hospital lobby, Berkshire Medical Center lobby, North Adams Regional Hospital lobby, Berkshire Health Urgent Care in Lenox, Hillcrest campus of Berkshire Medical Center, BMC Medical Arts Complex), Aug. 24 to Sept. 4;

• Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsfield, Aug. 28 to Sept. 13, overlapping Revel in Recovery on Sept. 12;

• Have Hope Peer Recovery Center, North Adams, Aug. 31;

• Adams Town Hall, Sept. 16-27, overlapping Voices in Recovery on Sept. 25; and

• The Milne Library, Williamstown, Sept. 17-19.

These exhibitions are free to all and will be available to view during the normal hours of operation for each location.

“The ‘Into Light’ exhibit brings crucial awareness to the human impact of substance use disorder across our region,” said Darlene Rodowicz, CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. “By honoring the memory of those we have lost and highlighting the compassionate work of our community partners, we hope to reduce stigma and reinforce our shared commitment to healing and support throughout Berkshire County.”