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Kathy Whitmire
The community will light candles to honor victims of drug overdose on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at the 1st Annual Candlelight Memorial Service.
This service will commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day and will be held in downtown Toccoa between Sage Street and Pond Street from 7-8:30 p.m.
Attendees should register in front of [ash-ling] Booksellers beginning at 6:30 p.m.
HOPE for a Drug Free Stephens and The Center for Wellness and Recovery will host the 1st Annual Candlelight Memorial Service to raise awareness of the increased risk of overdose due to the lethal drugs, like Fentanyl. being distributed locally.
According to Stephens County coroner, Chris Stephens, there were 14 drug-related deaths in 2021 due to drug use including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and others.
HOPE for a Drug Free Stephens, along with all the agencies that provide treatment and recovery resources, are sounding a battle cry on Overdose Awareness Day to win the war on drugs and provide the resources and support needed to maintain long term recovery.
Kathy Whitmire, executive director of Hope for a Drug Free Stephens said, “Despite the sadness fatal overdose brings, we hope it will also be a day of hope and progress in our community. September is Recovery Month, and we believe this is an excellent way to bring awareness to the need for treatment and recovery resources here in Stephens and the surrounding counties we serve.”
To honor someone who lost their life to drug overdose by lighting a candle, call Whitmire at 706-491-3493 or text with the name of the person to be remembered, along with your name.
If you have a picture, send by text or email to kfwhitmire@gmail.com.
“It is time to stop these senseless deaths due to overdose,” Whitmire said.