Spreading hope and awareness for the opioid epidemic

Mountaineer - 9/10/2021

Sep. 10—Based in Waynesville, the SHARE Project set out 222 illuminated jars on the steps of the Haywood County Courthouse on Tuesday night to remember, honor and respect all the lives lost to opioid overdoses.

That's how many lives are lost each day around the U.S., and the display was set up as part of International Overdose Awareness Day.

Many jars had tags bearing the names of local residents who have been lost to the opioid epidemic, with family members coming to honor and remember loved ones and support people in recovery.

SHARE stands for spreading hope and awareness and removing the epidemic stigma, said Michele Rogers and Lisa Falbo.

The two women founded the group a couple years ago after they lost their own sons to the opioid epidemic.

Rogers said when her son came to her with his problem she didn't know what to do. "I had no idea where to take my son, who to call," she said.

The nonprofit SHARE Project now works to raise awareness and connect people to support and resources. Following Tuesday's event to raise awareness, the group is also working to organize a series of speakers and workshops for the community this October, aiming to help provide people with the skills and tools needed to help navigate the drug crisis.

"We want moms, dads, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, wives and husbands all to know that it's OK to talk about it, and it's OK to ask for help," Rogers said. "We just want friends and family and loved ones to know it's OK to talk about, and there are other people just like you out there."

To learn more, visit theshareproject.org.

___

Visit The Mountaineer (Waynesville, N.C.) at themountaineer.villagesoup.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.