On Aug. 31, the Ashland community came together to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), an opportunity to remember those lost to overdose, support those impacted and raise awareness about overdose prevention.

The evening began with opening remarks from Ashland Police Chief Cara Rossi, setting the tone for a gathering centered on remembrance, compassion and community.

The event, organized by the Decisions at Every Turn Coalition of Ashland, featured guest speakers Kathryn Pierce and Tiffany Farrell, who shared their experiences and helped bring greater awareness and understanding to the impact of substance use and overdose.

Representatives from SADOD (Support After a Death by Overdose) and GAAP (Guided Addiction Access Points) were also on hand to connect with community members and provide information and resources.

One of the evening’s most meaningful moments was the planting of 100 purple flags in remembrance of lives lost to overdose. Each flag represents approximately 10 lives lost. According to data shared at the event, Massachusetts recorded 978 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2025.

The Ashland Public Health Nurse also provided free Narcan (naloxone) and led a live demonstration showing community members how to administer it. The hands-on education gave attendees an opportunity to learn how they can be prepared to respond in the event of an opioid overdose.

The strong community turnout highlighted the importance of coming together to remember lives lost, support those impacted, share resources and continue conversations surrounding prevention and recovery.