This September, purple flags will once again be placed on the front lawn of Somerville City Hall to honor residents whose lives were lost to opioid-related overdose in 2024 and in years past. The annual display is part of the city’s recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day and Recovery Month.

On Thursday, August 28, Mayor Ballantyne will host an Overdose Remembrance Event to remember the eight Somerville residents who passed away from a substance use-related overdose in 2024.

This event will include the planting of eight purple flags on the Highland Ave. side of City Hall, and one larger flag representing all those lost in prior years. Attendees are welcome to bring a small item of memorabilia to honor their lost loved one. The event will conclude with a moment of silence and candle lighting. City Hall will be lit with purple lights in recognition of Recovery Month. The flag and light displays will remain for the entire month of September.

Somerville Health and Human Services staff will host free Narcan Distribution Events and Overdose Prevention trainings. These trainings teach people the signs of an overdose, how to respond to an emergency, and how to use Narcan. Harm reduction supplies will also be distributed, including the overdose-reversing nasal spray naloxone (often referred to as Narcan), Fentanyl test strips, CPR face shields, and syringe disposal boxes.

For more information about this and similar events, please contact Director of Prevention Services Tina Los at tlos@somervillema.gov.