Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Waltham Substance Use Council Host Recovery Month Events

Press release from City of Waltham:

September 5, 2024

Did you know September is Recovery month? Join Newton-Wellesley Hospital and the Substance Use Council for a variety of community & hospital-based activities to bring forward the many aspects of addiction and recovery

Join us in these opportunities to reflect, support, and educate!

• Purple Flag Project at NWHDate: Saturday, September 14th – Sunday, September 22nd (Flag Setup: Saturday, September 14th at 9 a.m.) // Location: NWH Front LawnThe Purple Flag Project honors the 2,125 individuals who died in Massachusetts from an opioid-related overdose in 2023. Join us as we place 2,125 flags on the front lawn on Saturday, September 14th, at 9 a.m. to help us prevent opioid addiction, promote recovery, and support treatment access for all. Sponsored by SOAR Natick and NWH Substance Use Services Council
• Purple Flag Ceremony at NWHDate: Wednesday, September 18, 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. // Location: Shipley Auditorium NWH followed by Memorial on the Front LawnJoin us to honor the 2,125 individuals who died in Massachusetts from an opioid-related overdose in 2023, which is 232 fewer than in 2022, when Massachusetts had a record 2,357 fatal opioid-related overdoses. Help us to prevent opioid addiction, promote recovery, and support treatment access for all. We will be joined by Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, Meaghan Langlois from the Boston Bulldogs Recovery Running Club, as well as family members of SOAR Natick and other supporting families and loved ones with addiction. You are also invited to take part in the project and place a flag on the front lawn of the hospital, whether you have lost someone to the opioid epidemic, have struggled with substance use disorder, or simply feel inspired to participate in support of the cause. Sponsored by SOAR Natick and the NWH Substance Use Services Council.
• SUS Council WebinarDate: Thursday, September 26th; 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. (virtual) // Click here to joinA Mind-Body Approach to Pain: Practical Management Strategies for Relieving Pain with Beth Darnell, PhD, Director of the Stanford Pain Relief Innovations Lab. Hosted by the Substance Use Council and the Palliative Care Council in recognition of Recovery Month.

• Meet the NWH Substance Use Services Team!Date: Weekdays at 11:30 a.m. throughout September // Location: Across South Elevators, 2nd FloorThroughout the month, there will be a table outside the NWH South Elevators 2nd Floor. Please stop by to get your SUS gifts and information on how the SUS team can help your patients, you, and your family access a team-based approach to preventing and treating addiction. Table hours are 11:30a-1:30p weekdays during September.

• Drug Take Back Date: Every day // Location: NWH West LobbyEmpty your medicine cabinet and prevent your loved ones from accessing potentially harmful drugs! Bring your unused medications and the NWH Pharmacy will dispose of them safely!

• Narcan and Test Strip DemonstrationDate: 9/10/2024 and 9/24/24 1:30 p.m. -2:30 p.m. // Location: At NWH, Bowles Conference Room #6 (2nd floor)Drop in and learn how to administer Narcan and use test strips to identify harmful additives, prevent overdoses, and save lives.

This press release was produced by City of Waltham. The views expressed here are the author’s own.