Overdose awareness event brings community together to renew commitment to recovery
Photos by Bethany Wenger
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Purple and white balloons filled the skies over Kokomo on Mon., Aug. 24, at the Overdose Awareness Night of Hope was held in Foster Park. Hundreds were in attendance to remember those who lost their fights against addiction and to celebrate those who are still in the battle.
Dozens of local organizations committed to assisting in the recovery from addiction were on hand to share information and resources for those seeking freedom from drugs and alcohol. And a free hot dog meal was offered to all in attendance. There also was a raffle held to reward a lucky participant.
The performing arts stage in the park was occupied by various speakers who shared encouragement, an accounting of efforts made to fight addiction over the previous year, and personal accounts of the struggle.
Jane Pauley Community Health Center CEO Marc Hackett, JPCHC Board Member Paul Wyman, Turning Point System of Care Director Jackie Lewis, and Mayor Tyler Moore all spoke on the importance of the event and on recovery efforts in the community. To close, a Turning Point System of Care patient, Janelle, spoke about her experience of recovery and offered words of encouragement to the crowd.
Following the presentations, the crowd was invited to come to the stage and write the names of those lost to addiction ones on a banner to commemorate the event. And they were given balloons to later release in remembrance.
Dozens of those in attendance came forward to announce the length of their recovery, receiving applause and encouragement. And then the balloons were launched, reminding the community that the fight against addiction is not over and that there no longer needs to be a stigma surrounding the affliction.