Sullivan County will mark International Overdose Awareness Day with its fifth annual vigil on Tuesday, August 26, at 6 p.m. on the courthouse lawn in Monticello. The event will honor lives lost, support grieving families, and connect the community with recovery resources.
“We want to remember, honor those people, give hope to those still struggling, give support to the families… and get the education out there for anybody that does need help.” — Camille O’Brien
More Resources Than Ever
“This year there are 31 tabling organizations, all having to do with recovery, support for those affected by substance use as well as their families,” said Camille O’Brien, Crisis Services Coordinator for the Sullivan County Department of Community Services and a member of the International Overdose Awareness Committee. “It’s more tabling organizations than we’ve ever had.”
The evening will include:
- Bagpipes and candlelight vigil
- Purple lights illuminating the courthouse
- Ribbons tied around a tree for those lost, struggling, or in recovery
- A live interactive mural by Joshua Noah, who will also share his story of recovery
Fighting Stigma
O’Brien said one of the most important roles of the event is reducing stigma.
“Five years ago, there was much more stigma in our county. That assumption that everybody that got into drugs chose to do drugs… Once somebody’s addicted, it’s not a choice every time. It actually becomes the only choice.”
She added that lowering stigma has helped more people seek help. “If people hear that others actually care about them, they sometimes will start to care about themselves and want a better life for themselves,” she said.
A Personal Mission
For O’Brien, who is herself in recovery, the day is deeply personal.
“For me personally it means a lot… Sometimes people wait until they hit rock bottom to go into recovery. I wasn’t happy and I knew it was affecting me.”
She also noted the importance of remembering those who didn’t survive. “I’ve heard this said in the rooms before: I’m lucky to have this seat here because somebody else didn’t make it. We need to remember that.”
Event Details
The vigil will run from 6–9 p.m. on the Sullivan County Courthouse lawn in Monticello. Resource tables will be open from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a ceremony at dusk featuring speakers, music, and candle lighting.
“If anybody has pictures of loved ones lost, we’re going to have a place to put pictures, to really put a face on this.”
For more information, contact Sullivan County Community Services or visit sullivan180.org.
Image Credit: Sullivan 180