Lucas County Opiate Coalition Hosts Event Honoring International Overdose Awareness Day
Last year 221 people died in Lucas County as a result of opioid-related overdose and injury The Lucas County Opiate Coalition will host a day-long event on August 31st, to remember all who have been lost in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day. Local artists, family, and friends will “Chalk the Walk” by creating chalk art on the sidewalk at Promenade Park, 400 Water St. Toledo, OH. Chalk will be provided for the public and community members to leave messages and drawings on the surrounding sidewalks.
Narcan training & distribution, along with opioid overdose education will be provided by Toledo-Lucas County Health Department. Planned memorial activities in collaboration with community partners include:
- St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and Marketplace
- Mom’s SOUL (Surviving Our Ultimate Loss)
- BrightView Health
- Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Lucas County
- Project Noelle
- Core Wellness
- New Concepts
- Harbor
- Dogs for Difference
- Thomas M Wernert Center
- Lucas County JFS
- Neighborhood Properties, Inc.
- Zepf Center
- Lucas County Sheriff’s DART
- Team Recovery
- Arrowhead Behavioral Health
- Project Halo
- Wood County ARC
- ProMedica
- Vital Health
- Toledo Lucas County Public Library
- Toledo Treatment Services
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Family-friendly activities will be taking place all day and consist of writing messages of hope, bracelet making, rock painting, decorating picture frames, face painting, and yoga. Melany Gladieux will lead a Yoga session at 4:00 p.m. Food trucks will also be available at the event.
A remembrance ceremony will be kicked off by guest speaker Michael Carter with the Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. Furthermore, Tony Dible, TLCHD’s Overdose Prevention Coordinator, and Jason Moring, Team Recovery, both of whom have lived experience and first-hand familiarity with the opioid epidemic. Following the remembrance ceremony, a Reading of the Names submitted by those who lost a loved one will take place. Events will be shared live via the Lucas County Opiate Coalition Facebook page. Participants are permitted to bring chairs, blankets, and yoga mats.
Schedule of Events
2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Chalking and Activities
4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Yoga (please bring a mat or towel)
5:45 p.m. Remembrance Ceremony & Name Reading