South Shore communities, families prepare to mark Overdose Awareness Day

More than 2,000 families lost loved ones to overdoses in Massachusetts last year, a record-breaking number that showed the opioid epidemic is far from over.

Later this month, those people and the hundreds of thousands of others lost to overdoses worldwide will be remembered in a series of candlelight vigils, moments of silence and other events to mark International Overdose Awareness Day.

Here are how local communities will mark the day. Unless otherwise noted, these events will take place Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Braintree: 10 a.m., Braintree Town Hall, 1 JFK Drive. Ceremony and butterfly release.

Brockton: 7 p.m., Brockton High School, 470 Forest Ave. For more information, visit opioidoverdoseprevention.org.

Cohasset: 6:45 p.m., Cohasset Common, Highland Avenue. For more information or to send tribute photos and information, email Lpearson@cohassetma.org.

Holbrook: 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 29, Mary Wales Park, Holbrook Town Hall, 50 N. Franklin St. Candlelight vigil.

Quincy: 7 p.m., Hancock Adams Common, 1305 Hancock St. For more information or to send tribute photos and information, email Lmartin@quincyma.gov by Aug. 25.

Scituate: 5:45 a.m., Old Scituate Light, 100 Lighthouse Road. For more information or to volunteer, email jwasel@southshorepeerrecovery.org.

We do our best to include all events in the area, but know our list may be incomplete. If so, please email mwhitfill@patriotledger.com.

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