LEXINGTON PARK, Md. – In observance of International Overdose Awareness, Walden is offering its 3rd annual Overdose Awareness Event on August 31st, 7-9 p.m. Using the theme, “A time to remember, A time of act” created by the International Overdose Awareness Day movement, the event will include a Memorial Labyrinth Walk, a Lights of Hope circle, information tables and refreshments. Event will be outdoors with indoor options in the event of inclement weather. Silver ribbons, a part of the international “Wear Silver” campaign to raise awareness on overdose prevention, will be available. Participants will also be able to create “remembrance rock art” with a loved one’s name or an inspirational or prevention message. For more information, please contact us at 240-298-0212 (Beacon of Hope of Walden), 301-997-1300 x 804 or at lauraw@waldensierra.org. Beacon of Hope Recovery Community Center is located in Lexington Park in Millison Plaza, at 21770 FDR Blvd, behind Family Dollar. This event is free and open to the public. Partners for this event include the St. Mary’s County Health Department. Walden also sincerely thanks the families of loved ones lost to overdose death who donated photos of their children for our “Every Overdose is Someone’s Child” campaign.
About the Memorial Labyrinth: For one day only, Walden will set up a labyrinth walk in the Hope Place/Beacon of Hope of Walden parking lot. Walking labyrinths are a time-honored means of offering reflection and solace across many cultures. The event labyrinth will be decorated with our growing Remembrance Rock collection. Event staff will lead participants around the labyrinth as an opportunity for silent meditation.
About Lights of Hope: First begun by The Addict’s Mom organization, Lights of Hope events are now held around the country to support individuals and their families to find help and hope in the struggle to overcome addiction. Participants are able to select lights representing the experience of the individual in recovery (white), the person struggling with active addiction (red), and the person lost to addiction-related death (blue) and share experiences and information with one another.
About International Overdose Awareness Day: International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on 31 August each year that aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. International Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.
About Walden: Walden provides “help for today; hope for tomorrow” for individuals and families impacted by substance use, mental health and trauma issues via a continuum of services to include Hope Place Outpatient treatment and counseling and the Beacon of Hope Recovery Community Center in Lexington Park. Walden’s residential treatment services include Anchor Inpatient Treatment Center and long-term residential and recovery housing programming. Walden can be reached for more information about our programs via our 24-hour crisis line, 301-863-6661 or www.waldensierra.org. For family support information, please contact 240-298-0212.