►
From YouTube: International Overdose Awareness Day 8-31-21
Description
Mayor Janey offers remarks for International Overdose Awareness Day, recognizing those we have lost to drug overdose.
A
A
It
is
a
time
to
remember
without
stigma
those
who
have
died
and
acknowledge
the
grief
of
the
family
and
friends
left
behind.
Last
year,
more
than
93
000
individuals
died
from
drug
overdose
deaths
in
this
country
hitting
the
highest
number
ever
recorded,
and
that
includes
here
in
boston
as
well.
These
are
more
than
just
statistics.
A
A
We
are
so
grateful
for
tracy
lydica
who's
here
today
and
our
faith
leaders
for
guiding
us
and
joining
us
in
this
difficult
work
tomorrow
we
will
begin
recovery
month,
a
time
to
celebrate
recovery
and
thank
all
of
the
staff
from
street
outreach
workers
to
clinicians
to
neighborhood
coalitions
for
the
compassionate
life-saving
care
they
provide
every
day
and
without
judgment
during
this
month.
We
hope
that
you
can
join
one
of
the
many
activities
happening
across
the
city.
I
would
like
to
thank
mayor
janie
for
making
it
a
priority
to
be
here
today.
A
B
C
Hello,
everybody
I'm
burns
from,
as
you
heard
fourth
presbyterian
in
south
boston
and
also
co-chair
of
the
greater
boston
interfaith
organization
and
our
faith,
traditions
together,
name
hurt
when
hurt
is
real
and
we
also
lift
up
hope
and
the
promise
of
new
life.
Certainly,
in
my
own
christian
tradition,
new
creation
is
at
the
core
of
what
we
live,
or
at
least
try
to
live,
and
certainly
what
we
preach.
Please
join
me
in
the
spirit
of
prayer,
gracious
god.
We
give
you
thanks
for
this
day.
We
give
you
thanks
for
this
gathering.
C
We
wipe
our
tears
and
we
also
lift
our
hope
and
trust
in
you,
gracious
god.
We
pray
this
day
and
every
day
for
new
life
for
new
creation,
certainly
in
those
families
rebuilding
their
lives
after
a
loss,
but
even
more
than
that,
god,
new
life,
hope
and
new
creation
for
those
seeking
recovery
living
one
day
at
a
time
in
recovery,
those
building
new
lives,
new
relationships,
those
of
wholeness
and
life
and
love
together.
God,
we
join
our
hearts
and
pray
in
gratitude
for
this
day
and
for
your
promise.
B
B
D
D
B
B
She
brings
about
a
level
of
class
and
elegance
needed
to
strengthen,
to
strengthen
individuals,
lives
to
turn
the
corner
of
substance
abuse,
but
to
also
to
let
folks
know
that
the
faith-based
community
is
here
for
you
whenever
you
need
them.
Next,
with
great
pleasure,
I'd
like
to
introduce
pastor,
vivian
hicks
from
the
lily
of
the
valley,
baptist
church.
E
I
give
honor
to
our
esteemed
mayor
and
all
dignitaries
and
to
all
of
you
that
are
here,
anyone
that
has
been
touched
or
plagued
by
addiction,
substance
abuse
in
any
way
in
your
lives,
just
know
that
we
as
faith
leaders,
stand
together
with
you
in
solidarity,
as
it
has
already
been
said.
Yes,
we
begin
with
prayer,
but
we
know
that
faith
without
words
is
dead,
so
we
will
continue
the
mission
that
our
lord
and
savior
jesus
christ
has
charged
us
to
do.
Let
us
pray
almighty
god.
E
E
We
pray
dear
god.
That
grief
will
be
met
by
your
unwavering
compassion.
We
ask
you,
dear
god,
to
do
a
new
thing
in
our
city,
that
you
will
help
us,
oh
lord,
to
reach
a
place
in
our
lives
that
we
will
pass.
None
by
that
is
along
the
wayside,
that
we
will
reach
out
a
helping
hand
and
pick
up
our
brothers,
our
sister,
all
of
those
that
are
in
need
of
a
helping
hand.
E
So
we
extend
ourselves
as
soldiers
in
an
army,
an
army
of
faith,
believers
that
do
not
doubt
but
believe
that
almighty
god
has
the
power
to
change
and
transform
lives,
and
so
on
this
overdose
remembrance
day.
We
remember
all
of
those
families
all
of
those
individuals
that
are
grieving,
the
passing
of
a
loved
one.
We
acknowledge
all
of
those
that
are
going
through,
even
as
we
speak
and
pray
right
now.
There
are
many
on
their
way
to
recovery,
but
are
not
quite
there
yet.
So
we
pray,
oh
god,
for
perseverance.
E
We
pray
for
healing.
We
pray,
oh
god,
for
nurturing
by
the
saints,
through
the
leadership
of
this
city,
that
we
will
have
hearts
of
compassion,
remembering
that
jesus
has
called
us
to
a
great
work.
I
believe
it's
quoted
as
saying
in
the
written
word
that
he
has
called
us
to
even
a
greater
work
than
even
he
has
done.
So
let
us
rise
up
to
the
occasion
and
allow
god
to
do
a
mighty
work,
not
only
on
this
day
once
a
year,
but
every
day
of
the
year.
E
We
ask
you,
god
to
lead
us
in
all
of
our
doings,
that
we
o
god
will
make
sure
that
all
of
our
efforts
will
bring
glory
to
you
and,
as
we
give
glory
to
you,
oh
god,
we
ask
that
every
life,
every
being
that
is
in
need
of
a
help
in
this
day,
will
not
only
be
touched
but
will
be
changed
and
transformed
in
a
way
that
they
will
never
forget
this
prayer.
I
do
pray
in
the
tradition
of
my
faith
in
the
precious
name
of
jesus
amen,.
B
What
did
I
tell
you,
I
told
you
she
had
something
special
going
on
didn't
I,
this
next
woman
also
has
something
special
when
I
think
about
overdose
awareness
day.
I
think
about
the
countless
discussions
that
the
mayor
and
I
have
had
over
several
years
talking
about
what
needs
to
happen
in
certain
areas
of
boston
when
I
think
about
that
speaks
specifically
about
the
nubian
square
area
of
boston.
B
All
she
talked
about
was
the
balance
needed
to
protect
the
integrity
of
individuals,
lives
that
were
in
need,
in
other
words,
anybody
and
everybody,
no
matter
what
they're
going
through
deserves
respect,
no
matter
what
color,
what
race?
What
religion?
This
issue?
Around
substance
abuse
has
touched,
all
neighborhoods
in
all
families
in
one
way
or
another,
we
sat
and
we
came
up
with
a
great
plan.
That's
been
very
effective
in
the
nubian
square
area
of
roxbury
of
boston
and
we've,
provided
so
many
resources
for
folks
whose
lives
are
now
changing
because
of
her
leadership.
B
F
You
know
many
of
the
speakers
have
already
mentioned
how
so
many
of
us
have
been
touched
by
addiction
that
we
all
know
someone,
and
that
certainly
is
true
of
me
back
in
the
1980s
one
of
my
mother's
brothers,
who
was
such
a
sweet
soul.
Such
a
sweet
individual
who
brought
our
family.
So
much
joy
was
dealing
with
unresolved
trauma
in
his
life.
F
And
I
want
to
thank
some
members
who
are
here
today,
leaders
in
our
city,
who
are
on
the
front
lines
of
this
issue
who
do
work
every
single
day,
who
have
also
been
impacted
by
addiction
in
their
own
families
and
among
their
friends.
I
want
to
especially
thank
boston
city
councilor,
frank
baker,
for
his
leadership.
F
F
I
thank
them
both
for
their
leadership,
but
also
for
their
partnership
in
helping
to
plan
this
event.
I
also
want
to
recognize
boston,
city,
councilor,
ed
flynn,
who
I
believe
is
here
still
thank
you
for
his
work.
He
has
also
been
on
the
front
lines
of
these
issues,
always
raising
important
questions
advocating
for
this
community,
along
with
boston
city
council,
julia
mahia,
who
is
here,
thank
you
for
being
a
steadfast
leader
always
advocating
for
those
who
are
not
always
heard.
So
I
really
appreciate
your
leadership.
F
F
F
It's
about
people,
people
who
we
are
fighting
to
keep
alive
every
single
day.
We
are
leading
efforts
to
assist
our
residents,
who
are
dealing
with
substance
use
disorder.
We
run
clinics
and
street
outreach
to
help
provide
boston
residents
with
life-saving
treatment
and
services
to
all
of
the
individuals
who
are
in
need.
F
This
annual
event
helps
to
raise
awareness
about
overdoses
in
boston,
to
reduce
the
stigma
surrounding
addiction
and
to
honor
the
memory
of
friends
and
family
who
have
lost
their
lives
to
substance
use
disorder
in
their
honor.
I
will
light
city
hall
purple
tonight
and
we
will
also
partner
with
governor
charlie
baker
to
illuminate
government
center
south
station
and
the
longfellow
and
zakim
bridges
when
you
see
purple
tonight.
Please
join
me
in
taking
a
moment
to
think
of
friends
and
family
who
are
grieving
today.
F
F
The
state
just
released
a
preliminary
report
that
1038
individuals
experienced
a
fatal
opioid
overdose
in
the
first
six
months
of
2021,
which
is
tragic,
but
that's
down
from
five
percent.
From
this
time
in
2020,
on
average,
our
city
outreach
team
reverses
four
to
five
overdoses
a
day
and
some
of
our
hardest
hit
neighborhoods
to
meet
residents
needs
all
city-run.
Recovery
services
have
remained
open
and
operational
throughout
the
pandemic,
as
we
step
into
national
recovery
month.
F
The
city's
office
of
recovery
services
created
in
2015
is
the
first
municipal
office
dedicated
to
substance
use
in
the
united
states.
I
want
to
thank
chief
marty
martinez.
I
want
to
thank
jen
tracy
for
her
work
and
her
leadership.
I
also
want
to
thank
chief
irish
for
his
work
in
helping
to
plan
this
event
and
for
all
of
the
efforts
that
happen
every
single
day
to
save
lives
in
our
city.
F
We
are
rooted
in
advancing
equity
and
serving
the
vast
population
of
people
in
boston
with
substance
use
disorders
who
are
in
need
of
treatment
on
their
recovery
journey,
including
those
who
have
made
boston
home
from
other
neighborhoods
from
other
cities
as
we
step
into
national
recovery
month.
Let's
support
individuals
living
in
recovery
with
compassion.
F
I
also
just
recently
learned
that
one
of
our
own
city
employees
is
grieving.
The
loss
of
someone
who
has
just
died
from
an
overdose
so,
as
we
take
a
moment
of
silence,
as
we
close
out
as
I
close
out
my
remarks
and
take
a
moment
of
silence,
I
want
to
lift
up
this
particular
individual
and
their
family
and
all
of
those
that
we
have
lost
to
this
crisis
in
our
city.
A
moment
of
silence.
Please.
B
Thank
you,
mayor
janie.
Thank
you
very
much
for
the
support
and
guidance
for
the
so
important
issue.
I
would
be
remiss
if
I
didn't
say
a
few
words
very
quickly
about
the
success
that
we're
having
in
the
nubian
square
area
in
roxbury,
on
providing
resources
and
helping
individuals,
lives
and
families
go
to
the
next
level.
That
doesn't
happen
with
our
resources.
B
You
know
we
can
talk
ourselves
blue
in
the
face,
but
without
resources
it
doesn't
happen
for
a
year
and
a
half
close
to
two
years,
we
were
sitting
at
the
table
trying
to
figure
out
what
we're
going
to
how
we
were
going
to
move
forward.
One
champion
stepped
up
to
the
table
and
provided
the
budget
that
we
needed
in
order
to
hire
the
outreach
workers
to
provide
the
services,
the
beds,
the
food,
everything
that
we
needed
to
move
this
initiative
forward.
B
B
B
G
G
We
ask
for
healing
and
families
torn
apart
by
addiction.
We
ask
for
protection
for
those
family
members
who
are
in
harm's
way
because
of
their
loved
ones.
Addictions.
Lord
everyone
suffers
enough.
Everyone
suffers
in
a
family
where
there
is
addiction.
Please
pour
out
your
grace
mercy
and
healing
power
in
each
person
who
has
been
affected
by
someone
with
an
addiction.
G
G
G
B
Thank
you.
Pastor,
chin
this
next
individual,
I'm
going
to
mention
the
mayor,
and
I
just
happened
to
be
at
his
church
on
sunday.
If
you
happen
to
venture
into
this
church,
please
make
sure
you
immediately
put
on
your
dancing.
Shoes
make
sure
you
clear
your
throat
on
the
enthusiasm
that
was
happening
in
this
church
was
phenomenal.
B
When
I
left
this
church,
I
felt
it
was
just
such
a
great
feeling
after
experiencing,
and
I
had
to
listen
to
a
translation,
because
it
was
it's
all
done
in
spanish,
but
it
was
one
of
the
most
rewarding
wonderful
experiences.
I've
had
in
a
long
time
attending
church.
This
gentleman
means
a
great
deal
to
me.
He
helped
us
a
great
deal
as
we
were
praying
over
the
nubian
square
area
and
he
was
able
to
make
it
here
today.
I
want
to
introduce
a
great
supporter,
reverend
samuel
acevedo
from
the
lion
of
judah
church.
H
H
H
H
Your
word
promises
that
your
anointing
breaks
the
yoke
from
off
the
back
of
the
burden
and
you
promised
messiah,
you
promised
messiah
that
the
gates
of
hell
would
not
prevail
against
us.
If
we
turn
to
you,
if
we
came
to
you,
if
we
opened
ourselves
to
you,
you
invited
us
to
come
to
you
all,
who
are
weary
and
heavy
laden
that
you
would
give
us
rest
and
god,
just
as
this
word
promises
that
you
look
down
from
your
throne
in
heaven
to
hear
the
groaning
of
the
prisoners
and
those
who
are
in
darkness.
H
Lord
from
this
place,
that
represents
the
throne
of
boston.
We
look.
We
look
the
lord
god
at
our
loved
ones,
citizens
of
the
city,
children
of
god,
who
are
under
the
bondage
near
jesus
of
addiction,
and
I
ask
you
now
make
this
dear
god,
the
end
of
a
weeping
and
the
beginning
of
a
celebration
in
this
city
where
chains
begin
to
be
broken
and
those
who
are
in
bondage
may
dance
in
freedom.
H
H
B
Thank
you
so
much
pastor,
acevedo.
We
have
the
last
gentleman
that
will
come
up
and
pray
today
as
a
gentleman
means
a
lot
to
me.
I've
been
in
this
position
for
about
a
year.
He
guided
me
through
this
position
in
many
different
ways.
It
was
not
an
easy
thing
to
do
initially
checked
on
me.
Every
day
myself.
B
I
I
I
In
the
catholic
christian
tradition,
this
past
sunday,
we
heard
in
the
words
of
scripture,
be
doers
of
the
word.
Let
us
be
doers
of
the
word.
Assisting
our
brothers
and
sisters
guide
us
to
be
doers
of
the
word
lord,
and
for
the
prayers
we
bring
together
here
in
this
great
city
of
boston,
with
gratitude
for
all
that
takes
place
in
outreach
and
efforts,
and
so
much
more.
We
all
need
to
join
together
with
and
for
and
throughout
this
nation.
I
Lord,
as
we
pray
for
all
the
discomfort
and
dis-ease
around
us
presently
for
all
the
needs,
but
on
this
day
of
overdose
awareness
throughout
this
nation,
and
particularly
here
in
boston,
hear
our
prayers
and
guide
us
beyond
our
wants
beyond
our
needs
from
death
into
life
and
for
those
whom
we
remember
who
have
gone
before
us
for
each
name.
That's
brought
to
mind
in
heart,
gathered
here
at
this
moment
and
for
those
over
ninety
three
thousand
names
of
this
past
year
throughout
our
nation.
I
We
lift
them
up
for
rest
and
peace
and
so
too
for
their
loved
ones.
Who
grieve
blessed.
Are
you,
lord?
God
of
all
creation
of
all
names
of
all
cultures
of
all
backgrounds,
hear
us
guide
us
and
direct
us.
We
pray,
I
pray
as
catholic
christian
in
jesus
name.
We
pray
in
all
names
you
who
live
and
reign
forever
and
ever
amen,
amen.
B
A
Thank
you,
tracy,
I'm
just
closing
out
the
day.
I
want
to
thank
some
folks
here
today
that
didn't
get
acknowledged
yet,
but
are
on
the
ground
with
us
every
day,
boston,
police,
department,
street
outreach
unit
sergeant,
mcmullen
and
her
crew
are
here
they're
with
us
every
day
on
the
ground,
providing
compassion
and
care
to
the
folks
that
we're
trying
to
serve
so.
A
I
acknowledge
them
here.
Thank
you
to
the
department,
heads
commissioners,
city,
councilor,
baker,
mejia
and
flynn,
and
all
the
city
council
for
your
support
in
the
budget.
Tracy
thanked
me
for
resources.
Those
resources
come
from
the
city,
budget
and
other
places.
So
thanks
everyone
for
the
support,
there's
vigils
happening
across
the
city
tonight,
there's
vigils
of
roxbury,
charlestown,
east
boston
and
other
places
where
communities
will
come
together
and
by
name
go
over
the
residents
and
family
and
friends
that
they've
lost.