ROCK HILL, SC-Β International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on August 31stΒ each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.
IOAD spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable. In honor of IOAD, Keystone is hosting a Luminary Vigil on Aug. 31stΒ from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm at Fountain Park, 300 East Main Street, Rock Hill, SC 29730. There will be 118 purple lit luminary bags representing the 118 lives lost to overdose in York County in 2023.
Keystone will provide a free luminary bag to honor family and friends who have died by an overdose, Narcan to prevent future overdoses, educational materials & resources to York County support groups, and at-home Deterra drug deactivation bags for unused or expired medications. All in the hopes to SAVE LIVES! The York County Coronerβs Office will share a few words as well.Β
We hope the community will join us to remember the lives of those who were lost to an overdose. We encourage people to show their support by wearing purple, changing their porch light to a purple bulb, or tying a purple ribbon to their tree or mailbox. The City of Rock Hill is supporting IOAD by lighting the Main Street water tower purple that evening.
Keystone and the people of York County are joining a global movement for understanding, compassion, and change.
Β For over fifty years, Keystone has been here to improve the quality of life for individuals and families by educating, treating, and providing support for those impacted by substance use.
