In recognition of Overdose Awareness Day and Recovery Month the City of Somerville invites community members to a candlelight vigil and flag planting on August 27, as well as to overdose prevention training events throughout September.

The vigil and flag planting will take place Thursday, August 27, from 6 to 7 p.m. outside City Hall (93 Highland Ave.). Eleven purple flags will solemnly grace the City Hall lawn 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. Purple lights will also light up City Hall in recognition of Recovery Month. The flag and light displays will remain through September.

“This observance is never easy, but it serves as an important opportunity to remember those lost, support those grieving, and reaffirm our commitment to providing community resources and supports. Everyone is welcome to join the vigil or to take their own quiet moment in September to observe the flags and remember that each one represents a friend, loved one, and valued member of our community,” said Mayor Jake Wilson “I’m grateful for the work our prevention staff does every day to support residents in need and for continuing to host prevention trainings to provide neighbors critical knowledge that could help save a life.”

In addition to the annual flag display and vigil, the City will observe recovery month with free Narcan (overdose-reversal medication) distribution and training events in August and September.

“I’m very grateful the city continues to recognize the terrible toll opioid addiction brought on our community,” said Ward 1 Councilor Matt McLaughlin. “There was a time when people didn’t want to acknowledge it, but that did not hide the pain. The first step to recovery is to acknowledge we have a problem. The next step is to solve the problem.”

Somerville Prevention Services staff will host Narcan distribution events and trainings to distribute free overdose prevention information and harm reduction materials. These include the overdose-reversing nasal spray naloxone (often referred to as Narcan), Fentanyl test strips, CPR face shields, and syringe disposal boxes.

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