The 5th annual Adopt-A-Pole for Overdose Awareness campaign kicked off Aug. 20 at
North Suffolk Community Services’ recovery support center Recovery on the
Harbor which is located on Bennington Street in East Boston.
Between Aug. 20 and Aug. 31, which is International Overdose Awareness Day, a coalition of recovery-focused groups and volunteers will tie 1,200 purple bows to poles and lamp posts throughout East Boston, Charlestown, Chelsea, Lynn, Malden, Medford, Revere, Roxbury, South Boston and Winthrop.
Each bow includes a nametag with the name of a loved one lost to overdose. The bows stay up through September, which is Recovery Month.
The purpose of the Adopt-A-Pole Campaign is to raise awareness and to end overdose, remember without stigma that these individuals were loved, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.
Dr. Shunda McGahee, Chief Medical Officer at North Suffolk Community Services, delivered the opening remarks on the Overdose Awareness Campaign.
Shannon White, Power of Recovery, spoke about how the Adopt-A-Pole initiative first began and the impact of community-driven recovery efforts.
Michael Murphy, SOS Recovery Coach and a former Winthrop High School sports star, shared his personal journey in recovery.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden lauded North Suffolk Community Services began his remarks by praising Murphy for his powerful message. Hayden commended North Suffolk Community Services and the Adopt-A-Pole Campaign for saving lives.
“We’re saving lives with this work,” said Hayden, who encouraged those in recovery to keep trudging.
Dee Calvert, Director of the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), delivered an inspiring keynote address.
John Sanchez, Program Director of Recovery on the Harbor, offered final reflections on the successful event and the important work being done to help others at the recovery support center.
Following the speaking program, the placing of the bows was conducted on Bennington Street in East Boston and Broadway in Chelsea.
Sponsors of the event were: Scars in Heaven, North Suffolk Community Services, The Bridge Recovery Center, Gavin Foundation, Recovery Exchange Peer Support Center, Think of Michael, City of Revere, City of Medford, Power of Recovery, CLEAR, Charlestown Community Healing Action Team, and Josh and Michelle Kraft.
