A downtown Mobile event is bringing the community together to remember those lost to overdose — and to send one clear message to anyone still struggling: help is available.
The fifth annual Overdose Awareness Day and Recovery Month Kickoff Event is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf, 155 Water St. The event is free and open to the public.
An Evening of Remembrance and Hope
The evening will feature live music, community vendors and activities, but organizers say the purpose runs deeper than a celebration. The event is designed to connect people struggling with addiction — and the families who love them — with real resources and support.
Organizer Lori Myles started the gathering after losing her son to an overdose. Through the annual event, she hopes to raise awareness about addiction while helping other families find the support they need before tragedy strikes.
Breaking the Stigma
Organizers say addiction can affect anyone, regardless of background, and many families struggle to find help for a loved one. That’s why the event aims to break the stigma surrounding substance use and encourage more open conversations about addiction, recovery and the challenges families face.
Attendees will find information booths from local treatment providers and support organizations, reminders that recovery is possible, and a community of people who understand the journey firsthand. International Overdose Awareness Day, observed globally on Aug. 31, is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose; September follows as National Recovery Month, celebrating the millions of Americans in recovery from mental health and substance use disorders.
The National Maritime Museum of the Gulf, on Mobile’s downtown riverfront, hosts the event for the community gathering, with the waterfront setting offering space for reflection as the sun sets over the Mobile River.
For anyone who cannot attend, organizers stress that help is available year-round through local treatment providers, support groups and the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.