Reading To Hold International Overdose Awareness Day Event

READING, MA — A trio of community organizations will gather in Reading next week to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day.

The event is set for Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 5:30 p.m. at the Reading Police Department at 15 Union St. in Reading. It will feature public speakers and will aim to “facilitate a better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug misuse,” as noted in an event announcement.

"The opioid epidemic has shown all too clearly that overdose can affect anyone, from any class level or position in life, and that the resulting pain for families is devastating," Reading Police Chief David Clark said. "I hope community members will join us as we recognize how much has been lost, and work together to honor the memories of those whose lives were claimed by this disorder."

The event is hosted by the Reading Police, the Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support and the Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition. It will coincide with other vigils and events across the country on Aug. 31 to mark the lives lost to addiction and drug use.

Speakers in Reading will include Clark, Reading Coalition Director Erica McNamara and Town Manager Fidel Maltez.

In addition to International Overdose Awareness Day, an ongoing effort by both the Reading Coalition and the Mystic Valley Public Health coalition is looking to collect and honor the stories of area individuals who have died due to substance misuse.

Dubbed “Walk to Remember,” the project invites family members to complete a Google Form here, sharing memories about a loved one who passed away. Organizers are calling for submissions from Malden, Medford, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield and Winchester.

Stories will eventually be displayed at an event in September focused on promoting understanding, compassion and change. There will also be an online story display.

The state tracks opioid-related drug overdose deaths with community level data. There were at least 277 such overdose deaths in Malden, Medford, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield and Winchester between 2017 and 2021, according to that data.

Reading saw 18 deaths, with three last year.

Statewide, the number of opioid-related overdose deaths has jumped in recent years, climbing from 2,086 in 2019 to 2,234 in 2021. State officials in June warned of the increase as they released an update to their data. Officials cited the continued proliferation of the powerful drug fentanyl as a “persistent factor” in opioid-related deaths. Experts have also noted COVID-19 pandemic impacts on those battling addiction, including limited access to treatment and support networks, among other things.