(Westfield – 8/31/2023) In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) joined community members for remembrance and awareness events today in Holyoke and Westfield. Senator Velis, who Chairs the Legislature’s Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, also joined community members in Easthampton this past Monday for a remembrance vigil hosted by the Easthampton Health Department and Learn to Cope.
“We lost 2,357 lives to opioid-related overdose deaths in 2022, a new record high for Massachusetts. 2,357 lives tragically cut short and thousands of families that are still grieving the loss of their loved ones,” said Senator Velis. “These events are powerful opportunities for our community to come together, to remember these incredible lives we have lost, and to spread awareness about this epidemic that is continuing to devastate our state. We need to do more to support our neighbors who are struggling and to combat these heartbreaking numbers, and I am proud to be in that fight with so many incredible advocates in our region.”
A June report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health showed that there were 2,357 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths in 2022, surpassing the previous peak in 2021 by an estimated 57 deaths, or a 2.5% increase.
August 31st marks International Overdose Awareness Day, the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose. The goal of the movement is to remember loved ones who have died from drug overdose and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind, take action to encourage support and recovery for everyone impacted by substance use and overdose, and end overdose by spreading awareness of overdose prevention strategies.
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