ELLSWORTH — In 2024 490 Mainers lost their lives to drug overdoses, leaving behind grieving families, friends and communities across the state.
To mark International Overdose Awareness Day, Healthy Acadia’s INSPIRE Recovery Community Center will host a remembrance event on Sunday, Aug. 31, at Knowlton Park on State Street in Ellsworth. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to the public.
The gathering will include a moment of silence, and reflections from individuals whose lives have been impacted by overdose. A display of 490 puzzle pieces — each representing a Mainer lost to overdose in 2024 — will be installed on the fence at Knowlton Park in the days leading up to the event, serving as a powerful visual tribute.
A memory board will also be available for attendees to post messages or photos in honor of loved ones.
Essential harm reduction resources will be provided at the event, including naloxone (Narcan), xylazine test strips, and fentanyl test strips. Naloxone is a safe, lifesaving medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdoses and poses no risk to individuals who are not experiencing an overdose.
Healthy Acadia’s INSPIRE Recovery Community Center, located at 24 Church St., is a dynamic community space where people in recovery can come together in a safe, fun, and comfortable environment while connecting with others in the recovery community. The Center serves as a community hub for recovery meetings, coaching services and complementary programs and services to support overall health and wellness.
For more information about the event or to learn about overdose prevention and recovery resources, contact INSPIRE Recovery Community Center at 201-412-2288 or visit them on Facebook (@insupportofpeopleinrecovery) or Instagram (@inspirecommunityrecoverycenter).
Healthy Acadia is a 501(C)(3) community health organization building vibrant communities and making it easier for all people to lead healthy lives throughout Washington and Hancock counties. For more information about Healthy Acadia’s community health and wellness programs and services, visit healthyacadia.org.
