Saturday, August 31, is International Overdose Awareness Day. It is a day to commemorate those who have been lost to addiction and overdose, and to fight for measures that would help the overdose epidemic. In WNC, there will be two major events commemorating Overdose Awareness Day, one in Franklin (Macon County) and one in Asheville.

Franklin: Night of Hope

The 6th Annual Night of Hope will take place on Saturday, August 31st at 6pm. It will take place at the large recreation park pavilion by the pool and tennis courts – 365 Allman Drive in Franklin, NC.

The Night of Hope is a chance for the community to come together to celebrate the lives of those in recovery, pray for those who are struggling, and remember loved ones lost from addiction and overdose.

The event will feature a free meal with refreshments, free t-shirts, a memorial ceremony and testimonies, as well as free overdose reversal kits with naloxone. For more information, please contact Stephanie Almeida at (828) 349-0036.

The Night of Hope is sponsored by the Macon Overdose Prevention Coalition, including Full Circle Recovery Center, Families for Sensible Drug Policy, the Macon County Department of Public Health, and WNCAP.

Asheville: Overdose Awareness Day

Asheville’s 2019 Overdose Awareness Day event will also be held on Saturday, August 31, from 2pm-9pm, at Carrier Park – 220 Amboy Road, in West Asheville. The event will be presented by Seek Healing, Harmonia, Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness, and Buncombe County Health and Human Services.

The Asheville event, “A Day of Healing through Hope and Harm Reduction”, will feature a free community meal, a grief sanctuary space, naloxone training, art and local musicians, a speakers panel, and a candlelight vigil.