MONTICELLO  — The fifth annual International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil will take place on Tuesday, August 26 at 6 p.m. on the lawn of the Sullivan County Courthouse, located at 414 Broadway in Monticello.

Observed around the globe, International Overdose Awareness Day is the largest campaign dedicated to ending overdose, honoring those lost to substance use without shame, and recognizing the pain experienced by their loved ones. The event serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing impact of addiction and the importance of compassion, education, and remembrance.

The public is encouraged to attend and join in an evening of remembrance and solidarity. Families will share personal stories of those they’ve lost to overdose, celebrate individuals in recovery, connect with local service providers, and participate in a candlelight vigil at sunset. The ceremony will be accompanied by bagpipe music and the Sullivan County Courthouse will be illuminated in purple to honor lives affected by overdose.

“This evening serves as a platform for so many things. Each loss to overdose was someone’s someone: a brother, a child, a parent, or a best friend,” Sullivan 180 Outreach Program Manager   Lindsay Wheat said in a statement. “We always knew this was an important evening, but each year, we realize how necessary it is. The only way to end this is to do it together, as a community.”

While Sullivan County is no longer the top county in New York State for overdose rates—now ranking sixth as of 2023, according to the CDC—it remains one of the hardest hit. Though progress has been made in reducing overdose deaths, the county continues to face serious challenges. It is also recognized as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), a federal designation that underscores the urgent need for coordinated local, state, and federal efforts.

The vigil is hosted by a coalition of community organizations united in the mission to combat substance use and support those affected. For more details, please contact Lindsay Wheat, Outreach Program Manager for Sullivan 180, at Lindsay@Sullivan180.org.