News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A Glow Vigil Walk will be held to remember those lost to or struggling with substance overdose Saturday at Greenbrook Park.
According to Tennessee Department of Health, there were 3,826 overdose deaths in the state last year. Dekalb Prevention Coalition is holding a candlelight service and testimony at the park to bring awareness to the widespread struggle with addiction and remember those who fell victim to it. Director Jennifer Matthews said hosting this event is to let both addicts and loved ones know know that they are not alone.
“I think a lot of families, when they leave someone due to this, they feel like those loved ones are forgotten about,” Matthews said. “So we have this to remember them, to remember we still love them, we still care for them, and we’re still here for them.”
Matthews said the Coalition tries to educate the community on addiction and that it can impact anyone.
“Someone struggling with addiction isn’t someone that is living in poor home conditions, it could be your physician, it could be your dentist, it can be your local community leader, that could be struggling with it,” Matthews said.
Matthews said local mental health services will be at the vigil to make it known the abundance of resources that are available to help users and family members approach the problems.
Matthews said the organization decided to put on the event because August is International Overdose Awareness Month.
“Last year was our first ear doing the Glow Vigil Walk, it was super impactful,” Matthews said. “No one left that event last year not crying.”
Matthews said this year, attendees can write a letter of hope or a message to a lost loved one on a luminary bag and it will be lit later that night and lined along the Greenwood walking path.
Matthews said the Coalition will be there giving out prevention resources and medication lockboxes, an overdose reversal training, as well as other local vendors educating the public on the different aspects and types of substance abuse.
