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

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

Volunteers needed!!

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

As part of International Overdose Awareness Day, SAFE will work with community members to plant memorial flag displays  in Franklin, Medway, Norfolk, and Wrentham, where each flag represents one of the 1,763 lives lost in Massachusetts to overdose last year. 

We will be placing flags in each town from 9–11 AM on Friday, Aug. 29, and removing flags from 9–11 AM Tuesday, Sept. 2. 

Learn more and sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/safeoad

Send questions to info@safecoalitionma.org

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1AppLkAL36/

4th Annual vigil for International Overdose Awareness Day held on Town Common (audio)

FM #1267 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1267 in the series. 

This session shares the 4th Annual International Overdose Awareness Day vigil held on the Franklin Town Common on Saturday, August 31, 2024. 

SAFE Coalition co-founders, Jen Levine and Jim Derick welcomed the group. Jen spoke first and introduced Rev Jacob Juncker who led the group with a brief prayer. Meg spoke next of her recovery journey and the loss of her brother. Jim Derick spoke of his journey and the loss of his son. Rev Kathy McAdams closed with a prayer.

The group then lit candles, there were a few other remarks but my audio didn’t successfully pick those up. Franklin TV did record the event also. When the video is available, we’ll share that too.

The recording runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1267-ioad-safe-vigil-08-31-24/

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International Overdose Awareness Day -> https://www.overdoseday.com/ 

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

Photo album of the speakers at the event ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dZHnpUwiWmqximfB9

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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

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"

4th Annual vigil for International Overdose Awareness Day held on Town Common (audio)

Mark the date: International Overdose Awareness Day - August 31, 2024

"Last year, 2,125 people died from overdose in Massachusetts (MA DPH). Join us to remember and honor loved ones we’ve lost to overdose.

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is observed each August 31. On this day, communities worldwide come together to reduce overdose stigma, increase understanding and awareness, remember those who died of overdose, and prevent drug-related harm.

For IOAD, SAFE will host a community vigils from 6 – 7 PM at Franklin and Wrentham Town Commons. They will also work with community members to place memorial flags across the region.

To volunteer with SAFE for Overdose Awareness Day, complete this form forms.office.com/r/pXtEQrKpTi or email info@safecoalitionma.org

Mark the date: International Overdose Awareness Day - August 31, 2024

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C9xIzjTp7Ul/

Thursday is International Overdose Awareness Day, will you join us?

#IOAD We are just under a week away from International Overdose Awareness Day. Every year on August 31st, we join our local, state, federal, and international partners to recognize the impact substance use and overdose have had to those we love and those we have lost.   This year, we are honored to partner with HealthyKP to host a moving memorial in 5 communities. The purpose of this vigil is to bring local and real visibility to the sensitive and often overlooked disease of addiction. This 30 minute event will host a moment of silence, prayer, and a community member speaking about their lived experience. We will also host a memorial table to place pictures and memories of those we have lost to an overdose.  Together, we will say their names.   Will you join us?   We invite you to bring a picture of our loved one to place on our table of remembrance    Flag displays reflecting the 2,357 Massachusetts community members who lost their life to addiction in 2022 will be created on the Wrentham, Franklin, and Millis town commons.  The numbers continue to rise - In 2022, Massachusetts saw a 2.5% increase in overdose fatalities between 2021 and 2022 and a 9.1% increase from pre-pandemic 2016.  - Fentanyl was present in 93% of fatal overdoses where a toxicology report was present - Cocaine was present in 53% of fatal overdoses where a toxicology report was present - 47% of all opioid-related overdose deaths were between 25 and 44 years old; 43% were between 45 and 64 years old How You Can Help - Become an ally! Listen and learn from those with lived experience. We at SAFE would love to introduce you to those in recovery who are open to sharing their story and answering the questions you may have - Create a baseline understanding. The opioid epidemic continues to shift and evolve. It is important to create both a baseline understanding of addiction and the opportunities our community members have to access support - Support local initiatives. Headlines and statistics are important, but healthy communities are the lifeline to recovery and healing. Supporting programs that directly meet with families, youth, and individuals alike to mitigate substance use and provide education on the link between mental wellness and addiction is crucial for long-term change.  - Become a SAFE BUSINESS. Become a leader in your community and allow community members to know that they are welcomed and can ask for help in your space. - Book a training with us to learn how to administer Narcan!   Addiction is not invisible We hope you will join us on August 31st to honor those we have lost and to support all those who are still grieving.  Fact of the week  Did you know that SAFE holds the only fully subsidized Narcan training and distribution license in our area of the state?  Our Contact Information SAFE Coalition 31 Hayward St., Unit 2c Franklin, MA 02038-0434 774 847 9474 http://www.safecoalitionma.org

Multi-town moving memorial vigil - Aug 31

JOIN US, AUGUST 31, 2023 - Join us in remembering and honoring all those who have lost their life to addiction by attending our MULTI-TOWN moving memorial vigil.

Wrentham, Town Common 1:00 PM

Norfolk, Town Common 2:00 PM

Millis, Town Hall 3:00 PM

Medway, Thayer Estate 4:00 PM

Franklin, Town Common 6:00 PM

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CwBPX7exqwa/

Multi-town moving memorial vigil - Aug 31

Hold the date -> International Opioid Awareness Day - August 31, 2023

International Overdose Awareness Day August 31, 2023 - Moving Memorial Vigil and Flag Display ... more details coming soon

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvso7-pxnqI/

some of the flag display from Aug 31, 2022

Join the SAFE Coalition today on the Town Common to mark International Overdose Awareness Day

International Overdose Awareness Day VIGIL

In addition to our candle light vigil, we will be placing 2,290 purple flags on the Franklin Town Common at 4:30pm These 2,290 flags represent the number of lives lost in Massachusetts last year to an opioid overdose. Thank you to the amazing volunteers who have joined us the last two days completed the Millis and Wrentham tributes Millis Flag Display Wrentham Flag Display SAFE Coalition PO Box 434 Franklin, MA 02038-0434

Candlelight Vigil for Overdose Awareness Day - Aug 31 at 6:30 PM

Last year, an estimated 2290 Massachusetts community members lost their life to an #overdose. These community members were mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, neighbors, friends, and individuals who struggled deeply with the disease of addiction.

Join us for a candlelight vigil: Wednesday, August 31st for an evening of remembrance as we honor #InternationalOverdoseAwarenessDay

Wednesday August 31, 2022

6:30 - 8:00 PM

Franklin Town Common - 200 Main St, Franklin MA, 02038 

Candlelight Vigil for Overdose Awareness Day - Aug 31 at 6:30 PM

Candlelight Vigil for Overdose Awareness Day - Aug 31 at 6:30 PM

Last year, an estimated 2290 Massachusetts community members lost their life to an #overdose. These community members were mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, neighbors, friends, and individuals who struggled deeply with the disease of addiction.

Join us for a candlelight vigil: Wednesday, August 31st for an evening of remembrance as we honor #InternationalOverdoseAwarenessDay

Wednesday August 31, 2022

6:30 - 8:00 PM

Franklin Town Common - 200 Main St, Franklin MA, 02038 

Candlelight Vigil for Overdose Awareness Day - Aug 31 at 6:30 PM

FM #691 - January 6 Vigil (on the Town Common) - 01/06/22 (audio)

FM #691 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 691 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Jan 6 VIgil held on Thursday, Jan 6, 2022 on the Franklin Town Common. The vigil was organized by the Committee to Protect Our Democracy (CPOD), a subgroup of the Franklin Democratic Town Committee, as part of remembrances scheduled across the country.  

The master of ceremony Justin Bates introduces all the speakers.

The recording of the vigil runs about 45 minutes.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-691-jan-6-vigil-01-06-22

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The text of the remarks by State Representative Jeff Roy can be found ->

https://jeffreyroy.com/2022/01/07/remarks-at-jan-6-vigil-in-franklin/

Milford Daily News/Wicked Local coverage of the event can be found -> 

https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/country-gazette/2022/01/07/calls-action-franklin-vigil-reflects-capitol-attack/9135123002/

Photos of the event can be found in one album ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/T7zBkexGeqhjZqmw5

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

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

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"

Rep Roy giving his remarks at the January 6 Vigil (on the Town Common)

State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy: Remarks at Jan 6 vigil in Franklin

Jeffrey N. Roy (@jeffroy) tweeted on Fri, Jan 07, 2022:

"Remarks at Jan. 6 vigil in Franklin https://t.co/IDvOlgjVtS"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeffroy/status/1479418690005348353

"As Senator Rausch indicated, our day in the Massachusetts Legislature started with finishing the work of the 191st General Court on January 5, 2021.

We passed multiple pieces of legislation on the final day of the session. This work included wide-ranging pieces of legislation, including one early item that was a resolution for Franklin’s Frank Liotta, on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Another piece that passed around 2 AM was a law I had been working on for two years on the prevention of campus sexual violence.

We worked until around 5:00 AM on January 6, and I finally went to bed exhausted to get some sleep."

Continue reading Rep Roy's remarks here ->     https://jeffreyroy.com/2022/01/07/remarks-at-jan-6-vigil-in-franklin/

Audio of the event will be ready for publication and sharing this weekend. Franklin TV also captured a video recording. When that is ready for airing, I'll share the schedule.

State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy: Remarks at Jan 6 vigil in Franklin

Milford Daily News/Wicked Local Franklin coverage

https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/country-gazette/2022/01/07/calls-action-franklin-vigil-reflects-capitol-attack/9135123002/

Jan 6 Vigil at Franklin Town Common Bandstand Among More than 175 Events Across the Country

WHAT: January 6, 2022 marks one year since a faction of elected officials incited armed right-wing militants to attack the U.S. Capitol. One year later, the same faction is working to restrict the freedom to vote, attacking fair voting districts, and quietly preparing future attempts to sabotage free and fair elections. 

On Thursday, January 6, 2022, Americans across race, place, party, and background are holding candlelight vigils to say: In America, the voters decide the outcome of elections. To prevent this kind of attack from happening again, advocates are demanding that elected leaders pass urgent legislation including the Freedom to Vote Act, the Protecting Our Democracy Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and DC Statehood. 

This event in Franklin is one of more than 175 events that will take place across the country, including at the U.S. Capitol. 

WHO: The Committee to Protect Our Democracy

WHERE: Franklin Town Common Bandstand

WHEN: 5:00 -6:00 PM

VISUALS: Speakers include Representative Jeffrey Roy, State Senator Becca Rausch and a member of Congressman Jake Auchincloss’ staff with a message from the congressman

LINK to event signup:  https://www.mobilize.us/democracyvigils/event/434622/

Vigil at Franklin Town Common Bandstand Among More than 175 Events Across the Country