PORT ANGELES — Clallam County will observe International Overdose Awareness Day on Saturday with a resource fair, a rally, a remembrance wall and more.
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) was established to support individuals in overdose recovery, to remember without stigma individuals who have died from overdose and to acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind, according to a press release.
North Olympic Healthcare Network (NOHN) outreach and navigation manager Carlos Osorio said the international theme is “together we can.”
“We’re encouraging the fact that everyone has a role to play in overdose awareness and destigmatizing seeking services for help,” he said.
“If you’re an ice cream shop, a bus stop — everyone has a role to play.”
The event will begin at 11 a.m. on the Port Angeles city pier.
There will be free food, arts and crafts, a DJ, entertainment and educational materials on overdose prevention and treatment options.
At noon, individuals will march from the city pier to the Clallam County Courthouse.
From noon to 1 p.m., there will be a rally on the steps of the courthouse with remarks from community leaders, elected officials and treatment providers.
Individuals will then partake in a silent walk back to the city pier.
From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., a remembrance ceremony will be conducted at the pier featuring personal stories, free food, arts and crafts, entertainment and a remembrance wall in honor of loved ones.
There also will be NARCAN training about 1:30 p.m.
Throughout the afternoon, individuals can create art, poems, short stories or quotes that will be displayed on the community reflections wall.
Osorio said the wall is “kind of like a symbol of coming together, and everyone’s ideas of how to tackle it.”
The wall will be showcased about 3:15 p.m. or 3:30 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. Individuals connected to overdose risk, such as treatment providers, individuals and families, are strongly encouraged to attend.
Purple is the official color of the IAOD campaign, so purple shirts are encouraged but not required.
The following groups are participating in the event: NOHN, Peninsula Behavioral Health, Clallam County Health and Human Services, Klallam Counseling Services CHECK, Reflections Counseling Services Group, The American Indian Health Commission and Jamestown Healing Center.
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Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
