SAFE Commemorates Overdose Awareness Day with Community Vigils - Aug 31, 2025

WHAT: Public vigils 

DATE: Sunday, August 31

TIME: 5:00–6:00 PM

LOCATIONS: 

• Franklin Town Common

• Wrentham Town Common

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) will be marked this year in Franklin and Wrentham with community vigils from 5–6 PM on August 31 at Franklin Town Common and Wrentham Town Common. Additionally, SAFE Coalition will work with community members to plant memorial flag displays in Franklin, Wrentham, Norfolk, and Medway. This annual event is intended to end overdose, remember those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of those left behind. 

The vigils are hosted by SAFE Coalition, a local nonprofit committed to inclusive and judgement-free support for substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and family support. 

SAFE Commemorates Overdose Awareness Day

“Each year, we have the privilege to come together as a community and remember those we’ve lost to the disease of addiction,” said Jen Levine, CEO and co-founder of SAFE. “It’s important to place the flags and hold these vigils because they create a space to meet, talk, and be with others who have felt similar losses.”

Massachusetts experienced 1,763 fatal overdoses in the last year, and more than 80,391 people died from overdose nationwide (Massachusetts Department of Health). Each loss sends ripples of grief through families, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

This year, thousands of communities worldwide will participate in IOAD, a time to honor those who have died or suffered due to overdose. Established in 2001, IOAD seeks to reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, remember those who died of overdose, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use. 

Community Vigils - Aug 31, 2025

The theme of IOAD 2025 is “One Big Family, Driven by Hope.” It reflects the idea that while overdose fractures families and communities, it also reveals how deeply connected everyone is and the power of showing up for one another. Participate in the global day of acknowledgment using the hashtags #OneBigFamily #DrivenByHope #IOAD2025 #EndOverdose

With support groups, educational courses, events, training, support services and more, SAFE provides a whole-person, whole-family, whole-community approach to addiction, prevention, and recovery. 

SAFE is seeking volunteers to help plant and remove memorial flags for IOAD. Visit https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ioad to sign up and learn more.

2025 International Overdose Awareness Day - August 31, 2025

Last year, 1,763 people died from overdose in Massachusetts.

Join us for International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 to remember and honor loved ones we’ve lost to overdose.

Community Vigils

SAFE will host community vigils from 5 to 6 PM at two locations:

• Franklin Town Common (200 Main St.)
• Wrentham Town Common (1 Franklin St.)

We encourage attendees to bring photos of loved ones to place on a special memorial display table at the vigils.

Volunteers needed to help with International
Overdose Awareness Day - August 31, 2025

Memorial Flag Displays

In addition to the vigils, SAFE will collaborate with community members to place memorial flags across the county:

• ​Franklin Town Common
• Wrentham Town Common
• Norfolk Town Hill lawn
• Medway Town Hall lawn

Those interested in helping can sign up using the form below.

Together we can reduce substance use disorder stigma, increase understanding and awareness, remember those who died of overdose, and prevent drug-related harm.

https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ioad

Chavelyn & Emma talk about the evolution of the services provded by SAFE Coalition (audio)

FM #1430 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1430 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Chavelyn Santana, Director of Collaborative Care and Emma Kelley, Director of Adolescent Wellness for the SAFE Coalition. We recorded this conversation in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio Thursday, April 10, 2025. 

We cover the following in our wide ranging conversation

• Their individual road to SAFE

• The organization around three approaches 

• Adolescent wellness

• Family recovery

• Collaborative care

• Listening as key to growth of services to 55 communities

• The 90 day support plan

• The Gala as a fundraising event, May 8

The recording runs about 49 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1430-safe-coalition-services-04-10-25/

--------------

Chavelyn & Emma talk about
the evolution of the services

Link to SAFE Coalition -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ 

Purchase tickets to the SAFE Gala May 8 -> https://secure.qgiv.com/event/safegala/ 

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know 

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Use of Opioid Settlement Funds to bring Art Pharmacy to Franklin "another first of many"

FM #1396 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1396 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Art Pharmacy Community Conversation held at THE BLACK BOX on March 5, 2025. Cory Shea, Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy opened the event with 3 panelists who made brief presentations and then participated in a Q&A session.

Panelists:

• Michael Bobbitt, Mass Cultural Council

• Emily Devlin, Art Pharmacy

• Amy Friguiletti, Deputy Town Administrator

The Q&A session of this is not shared, the audio quality was not sufficient.

The presentation portion of the event runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen to overview of Art Pharmacy and how the Town of Franklin will be the first community to use their Opioid Settlement funds to  use this Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1396-art-pharmacy-community-comversation-03-05-25/

--------------

** Presentation by Michael Bobbitt -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_g76jrwROR3wWehzLD5mDxrWk3zhk8Uo/view?usp=drive_link

Mass Cultural Council press release on Art Pharmacy -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/introducing-the-first-statewide-social-prescribing-solution-in-the-u-s/ 

Mass Cultural Council -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/ 

Michael Bobbit -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/about/staff/michael-j-bobbitt-bio/ 

** Presentation by Emily Devlin -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yFFjIH-x0lHx53F8MMwxatqg_JoDJ35F/view?usp=drive_link

Art Pharmacy ->  https://www.artpharmacy.co/ 

Emily Devlin -> https://www.artpharmacy.co/about 

** Town of Franklin ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 

Amy Friguilett -> https://www.franklinma.gov/159/Administrator 

Cory Shea -> https://www.franklinma.gov/916/Arts-Culture-and-the-Creative-Economy

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Use of Opioid Settlement Funds to bring Art Pharmacy to Franklin "another first of many"

SAFE Coalition statement on Opioid Settlement funds

SAFE is thankful to Mike Beaudet and WCVB for highlighting the opioid abatement fund expenditure concerns in a recent news segment. 

SAFE Coalition has worked with over a dozen communities in Massachusetts to advise, coordinate, and deliver community services related to opioid abatement funds. “Families and individuals who have been impacted by the opioid epidemic deserve these funds to go to support and recovery,” says SAFE CEO and co-founder Jen Levine. “We want to help make that process as quick and seamless as possible.”

Founded in 2015, SAFE is the only nonprofit in southeast Massachusetts offering wraparound, zero-cost substance use and mental health services to individuals and families. We have close, first-hand knowledge of the opioid crisis’s impact today and the complex landscape of municipal abatement funds. 

Opioid Settlement funds

Opioid fund expenditure plans are incredibly specific, seeking impact through seven key strategies including supporting people in treatment and recovery, building greater connections to care, offering harm reduction (like Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and safe syringe programs), supporting parents and families, and preventing misuse through prevention education. 

SAFE has a team dedicated to understanding this expenditure strategy and working with municipalities to get it right the first time. “We can appreciate how this unique funding source can create gaps in municipal knowledge related to spending,” Levine says. “Our hope is to bridge that knowledge gap so funds can be allocated according to set timelines and expectations.” 

Families and individuals have been impacted by the opioid epidemic for over 20 years. “By utilizing these funds, we honor all those who have struggled or are currently struggling and encourage people to get care before crisis” says Levine. 

SAFE works directly with communities to deliver targeted services based on their highest needs. SAFE's services are designed to support individuals at every stage of their recovery journey, from individual and family support groups to youth education initiatives, peer-led programs, mediation, and counseling services. 

We also provide practical resources such as diaper and car seat banks, medication take-back events, Narcan training, trauma-centered yoga, and CPR instruction – all designed to address the broader social and environmental determinants of substance misuse and mental health. 

Through a trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach, we ensure that individuals in the community can readily access the critical services they need to improve their overall health, safety, and well-being.

Editorial note: One would think that after some of the reporting errors around the ARPA funds, that the major news organizations would have learned that there is time between when the funds are announced, when they are actually available, and when they can be spent. Municipalities can not spend money they don't have. 

In Franklin's case, which I know from my years of experience reporting on, the Town was recently released funds, and notified of the funding flow for the next 10 years. The Town presented to the Finance Committee and then to the Town Council. The readily available funds are authorized for spending. The future authorizations extend out 10 years. Those funds are not in hand, and not yet authorized. So for the news organization to claim such inaction in spending is false and irresponsible.

Finance Committee meeting at which the funding allocation was recommended for approval (recap, audio & video links) ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/finance-committee-approves-recommended_0799398139.html

The Town Council meeting at which the funding allocation was approved  

(recap, audio & video links) -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/finance-committee-approves-recommended_0799398139.html

The first authorization of opiod settlements funding occured in the June 26, 2024 meeting reported on here -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/06/in-marathon-session-town-council-cuts.html

Tom Mercer & I condense the Town Council meeting of Feb 5 in this "Quarterbacking" session (audio)

FM #1375 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1375 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Thursday, February 6, 2025.  Our conversation condenses the Council meeting of Wednesday night (Feb 5) with a focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

• Fire Department - Promotions Captain Matthew Kelly & Lieutenant Jeffrey Ward

• PUBLIC HEARINGS

• a. Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of September Drive and Countryside Lane and Drainage Lots Parcels A and B and Easements

• b. New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine

• PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION - ALS/BLS Trends - EMS Battalion Chief Billy “Numbers” Blanchard, EMS Captain Laurie Kaye

• Legislation for action

• Resolution 25-07: Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of September Drive and Countryside Lane and Drainage Lots Parcels A and B and Easements

• Bylaw Amendment 25-924: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - First Reading

• Resolution 25-10: Adoption of the 2025 Master Plan for the Town of Franklin  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report

• Resolution 25-04: Capital Improvement Plan

• Resolution 25-02: Statewide Opioid Settlement Fund Appropriation

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Signs (at C. 3.)

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin- Signs (at E.2.)

• Bylaw Amendment 25-922: Amendment to Sewer System Map

• Bylaw Amendment 25-923: Amendment to Water System Map

• Resolution 25-08: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4

• Resolution 25-09: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($50), Veterans’ ($2,550), & Recreation ($8,405)

Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Town Council meeting held this week. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1375-town-council-quarterbacking-02-06-25/

--------------

Franklin TV video is ready for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/4rx-pHX5q_Q?&t=161 

The Agenda doc and most materials released for this session ->   https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02052025-1546 

Fire Dept presentation on call volume leading to an increase in ambulance rates

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4402/Fire-EMS-Presentation-2525?bidId= 

My notes in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z9V6bpd4oFls9lbGgb1nzVoDhi8wu6cV/view?usp=drive_link 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Tom Mercer & I condense the Town Council meeting of Feb 5 in this "Quarterbacking" session (audio)