More than 40 people gathered on the town common in Jaffrey Tuesday evening to hold a candlelight vigil in honor of those whose lives who have been lost to overdose.
The vigil was hosted by Reality Check, a recovery community organization in Jaffrey, and supported by other agencies and individuals around the region.
“The intent of Jaffrey’s first vigil was to increase awareness, improve community connections and let people who’ve lost loved ones to overdose know they’re not alone,” said Mary Drew, founder of Reality Check. “It was a great opportunity to honor loved ones we have lost to addiction, to reduce stigma and shame surrounding addiction and to build community among people with a common experience.”
The vigil featured six speakers, an opportunity to share photos or say the names of lost loved ones and a moment of silence to honor the deceased.
Peterborough Fire Chief Ed Walker shared that while New Hampshire’s overdose fatalities – long among the highest in the nation – are dropping, the amount of emergency calls to address overdose-related situations have surged by 50 percent in the past three years. This indicates that people are not overdosing less, he said, but are surviving overdose more.
International Overdose Awareness Day is celebrated around the world each year on Aug. 31. More than 107,000 people in America died from overdoses in 2021.
Reality Check, a nonprofit in Jaffrey that provides addiction services around the eastern Monadnock region, is focused on getting ahead of the overdose epidemic in local communities. To get involved or volunteer, please call 603-532-9888 or visit realitychecknow.org.
“Our vision is to hold an annual vigil while also reducing the need for one,” said Drew.
Anena Hansen is the employer services coordinator for Reality Check in Jaffrey.