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 2025 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 27, Mayor Wilson will host an Overdose Remembrance Event to remember the eleven Somerville residents who passed away from a substance use-related overdose in 2025.

This event will include the planting of eleven purple flags on the Highland Ave. side of City Hall, and one larger flag representing all those lost in prior years. 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 through September.

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. These trainings teach people the signs of an overdose, how to respond to an emergency, and how to use Narcan. Supplies will be distributed, including nasal spray naloxone, Fentanyl test strips, CPR face shields, and syringe disposal boxes.

For more information about this and similar events, go to https://www.somervillema.gov/news/somerville-observe-overdose-awareness-day-and-recovery-month.