Published September 01. 2022 02:45PM
Folks gathered Wednesday at Depot Square Park in Tamaqua to observe International Overdose Awareness Day.
Purple ribbons signifying overdose awareness were planted throughout the park, and attendees were invited to hang a ribbon on a tree in memory of a loved one.
The event was organized by Safer Streets Tamaqua, New Roots Recovery Center and Hope & Coffee.
In addition to information about recovery support, free hot dogs, water and coffee were offered.
The event is held internationally on Aug. 31 to educate people about overdose, remember without stigma those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.
New Roots Recovery Support Center certified recovery specialists, from left, Alley Perez, Kerri Scheitrum and John “Bubba” Welfel educated pepole about their organization, which offers peer-based recovery support services from sites in Tamaqua, Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre. Scheitrum, the regional director, talked to attendees of Wednesday's International Overdose Awareness Day in Tamaqua about the center's offerings and how Narcan can be used to reduce an opioid overdose. JILL WHALEN/TIMES NEWS
Alexa Filion, Tamaqua, stopped at the International Overdose Awareness Day event at Tamaqua's Depot Square Park to talk to Tammy Sienkiewicz of Safer Streets Tamaqua, right. Filion is relatively new to the community and wanted to learn more about its groups and organizations.
Purple ribbons signifying overdose awareness were placed at Depot Square Park in Tamaqua for Wednesday's International Overdose Awareness Day.
An empty chair signifying a person who passed away not knowing recovery was possible was at Wednesday's International Overdose Awareness Day in Tamaqua's Depot Square Park.