Community and Government members gather around planted flags in a moment of silence for those who have been lost to drug overdose. ~Photos by Keith Foster

By Keith Foster

Part of the Somerville community gathered outside Somerville City Hall last Thursday, August 27, which was Overdose Awareness Day, for a candlelight vigil and flag planting for eleven victims of opioid overdose. In addition, there will be overdose prevention training events throughout September, which is National Recovery Month.

Eleven purple flags were planted on the lawn of City Hall in memory of residents whose lives were lost to opioid-related overdose in 2025, with one large flag planted to represent those lost in prior years.

Speakers emphasized grief, responsibility, and a commitment to “do better” by keeping people alive until they are ready for help. Aspirations included a future year with zero overdose deaths, paralleling the city’s Vision Zero street-safety efforts, with the belief that addiction is curable.

Participants were invited to place 11 small flags on the lawn, each honoring one neighbor lost last year; two mallets were available to share.

Public health vending machines offering Narcan are located at: East Somerville, in front of the old fire station; in front of the West Branch Library in Davis Square. Community members are encouraged to get training to administer Narcan and be ready to support their neighbors. Naloxone was approved for treatment in the United States in 1971. Since then, it has had a high success rate, working 75 to 100% of the time according to PubMed Central (PMC).

Free Naloxone (Narcan) access points: NARCS box in Davis Square in Seven Hills Park along the community path. Libraries usually have Narcan; if not, email chw@SomervilleMA.gov to arrange pickup or, if nearby, delivery.

The eleven flags surround one big purple flag in remembrance of residents lost to Opioid-related overdose.

Upcoming events the city is hosting will be:

In-Person Overdose Prevention Trainings on 

• Tuesday, September 8, 6 to 7 p.m., in the Central Library Auditorium (79 Highland Ave.)
• Thursday, September 24, 6 to 7 p.m., at the East Branch Library (115 Broadway)
• Monday, September 28, 6 to 7 p.m., at the West Branch Library (40 College Ave.)

To learn more about the Somerville Office of Prevention and its year-round programming and services, visit somervillema.gov/prevention.