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From YouTube: Overdose Awareness Day 2017
Description
In recognition of Overdose Awareness Day, Mayor Walsh joins interfaith clergy and loved ones of people in recovery on City Hall Plaza for a candlelight vigil. The service marks the beginning of Recovery Month in the City of Boston, which will feature events geared towards addiction and recovery throughout September.
A
We're
here
today
to
commemorate
international
overdose,
Awareness
Day,
and
on
this
day
we
hope
the
grief
felt
by
families
and
friends
who
have
been
impacted
by
addiction
and
to
celebrate
recovery.
Mayor
Walsh
will
be
out
here
shortly,
but
first
we
wanted
to
kick
off
this
event
with
Laurie
moist,
to
sing
amazing
grace.
B
B
D
A
beautiful
that
was
Laurie.
Thank
you,
Laurie
moyses.
She
brought
together
Amazing
Grace.
There
are
some
in
our
myths,
some
of
us
who
are
amazing,
Grace's
and
we
bring
together.
Can
we
hear
an
amen
for
those
in
recovery
and
for
those
whose
hearts
are
heavy?
We
bring
together
on
this
overdose,
Awareness
Day
throughout
a
nation
and
bring
together
all
that
comes
forth,
and
we
have
one
in
our
myths
to
sheer
heaviness
and
recognize
grace
and
bring
together
her
story,
and
so
we
invite
Angela
Kelly
to
come
forward
and
share
some
words
in
her
heart.
E
Thank
You
father
white,
thank
you
to
Mayor
Walsh,
for
your
leadership
on
recovery
and
to
all
the
community
leaders
who
are
here
tonight.
Thank
you
to
Jen,
Brendan
and
Parisa
at
the
office
of
recovery
services
for
organizing
this
vigil
and
inviting
me
to
speak
and
to
all
the
faith
leaders
and
this
evening's
performers
for
guiding
us
in
prayer
and
song.
E
My
name
is
Angela
Kelly
I
live
in
Dorchester
and
I'm
here
today,
in
memory
of
my
brother,
Jonathan
Kelly,
who
passed
away
last
year
gone
much
too
soon
at
age
35,
as
those
of
you
who
are
here
in
tribute
to
a
loved
one,
know
all
too
well.
There
are
no
words
that
can
capture
the
heartache
of
such
a
loss.
E
So
I
open
my
heart
to
all
of
you
who
are
also
here
in
mourning
and
to
those
of
you
whose
loved
ones
may
still
be
struggling
to
release
the
grip
of
addiction,
a
source
of
constant
distress
that
my
family
has
known
too
well,
always
dreading
the
devastating
news
that
the
next
phone
call
might
bring.
May
you
and
your
grief
and
weary
side
moments
of
peace
and
solace
and
feel
the
support
of
those
around
you
today
and
every
day.
Knowing
you
are
not
alone.
E
My
heart
is
also
with
those
of
you
here
tonight
who
are
working
towards
your
own
recovery.
I,
salute
your
courage
and
persistence
and
I
wish
you
hope
and
healing
every
step
of
the
way.
Trusting
your
own
strength,
your
worthiness,
your
core
goodness
and
the
truth
that
you
matter
and
are
cared
about
by
many.
E
I
know
all
of
the
people
that
we
remember
today
were
people
who
we
loved
dearly
and
will
always
love
people
with
unique
stories
and
difficult
journeys,
people
with
big
dreams,
they
didn't
get
to
fulfill
and
people
whose
memories
motivate
us
to
help
others
find
wellness
against
the
odds
through
my
brother's
long
struggles
with
alcoholism
and
heroin
addiction,
as
well
as
his
many
triumphs
and
talents,
he
taught
our
family.
So
much
Jonathan
was
a
deep
thinker
with
a
big
heart
and
a
sensitive
soul.
He
was
empathetic
to
others
and
always
up
for
a
laugh.
E
He
was
a
gifted
artist
who
made
sculptures
and
stained
glass
and
filled
countless
sketchbooks
with
drawings.
He
wrote,
poetry
and
studied
philosophy
and
was
a
musician
whose
friends
still
remember
him
by
the
songs
he
shared
with
them.
He
was
a
handyman
who
was
always
eager
to
help
others
and
a
talented
chef
who
had
the
good
fortune
of
sharing
his
culinary
skills
at
Haley,
House
Cafe,
he
loved
the
ocean
and
animals
and
giving
gifts
to
other
people.
E
He
followed
his
own
path,
which
sometimes
led
him
to
trouble,
but
he
always
stood
strong
and
steady
in
his
beliefs.
We
miss
him
so
much
and
it
still
feels
impossible
to
believe.
We
will
never
see
him
again
on
this
day.
Two
years
ago,
he
attended
an
overdose
awareness
vigil
with
my
family
and
I
wish
so
much
that
he
was
here
with
us
again
today.
I
trust
in
some
way,
at
least
in
our
hearts.
He
is,
though,
the
pain
of
his
loss
has
been
overwhelming.
E
I
have
been
grateful
to
find
several
supportive
community
groups
with
whom
to
take
action
to
keep
his
memory
alive.
Last
summer,
I
had
the
chance
to
participate
in
the
opioid
project
created
by
local
artist,
Nancy
marks
and
physician
Annie
Brewster,
who
have
combined
their
talents
and
painting
and
medicine
to
facilitate
workshops
in
which
participants
remember
those
we've
lost
to
overdose
and
share
stories
of
recovery.
E
Given
my
brother's
artistic
talents,
it
was
especially
meaningful
to
create
a
painting
in
his
honor,
which
I'm
pleased
to
know
will
be
on
display
here
at
City
Hall
in
September
as
part
of
the
city's
recovery
month.
Events
shortly
after
my
brother's
death,
I
also
found
my
way
to
the
Boston
Bulldogs
running
club,
a
community
of
support
that
promotes
illness
for
those
impacted
by
addiction,
whether
we
are
in
recovery
effected
by
a
loved
ones,
death
or
working
in
the
field
of
substance
abuse
treatment.
E
We
all
run
together
as
one
providing
encouragement
along
the
way
thriving
on
the
natural
high
of
our
weekly
runs
and
the
empowerment
of
accomplishing
goals
that
once
seemed
out
of
reach.
We
are
grateful
to
the
mayor's
office
of
recovery
services
for
co-sponsoring
our
run
for
recovery.
The
spring
and
running
for
recovery
has
become
a
metaphor
for
what
it
often
takes
to
overcome
addiction,
persistence
and
strenuous
effort.
E
Dedication
to
your
goal,
even
when
it's
difficult,
and
when
you
hear
the
nagging
voice
of
self-doubt
together,
we
learn
to
persevere,
to
rely
on
the
aid
and
encouragement
of
others
to
pause
and
breathe
when
needed
and
to
keep
on
going
without
giving
up.
That
is
how
my
brother
approached
his
quest
for
recovery.
As
our
family
sought
to
support
Jon
and
getting
treatment,
we
saw
how
hard
it
can
be
to
access
needed
support
continually
confronting
barriers.
E
Sadly,
he
relapsed
then
overdosed
and
spent
some
harrowing
weeks
in
the
ICU,
while
still
in
the
hospital
he
Wright
rededicated
himself
to
getting
better.
Although
his
overdose
and
the
impact
of
many
years
of
addiction
had
left
him
with
a
failing,
liver,
he
declared
to
his
doctors
I'm
not
giving
up
I've
bounced
back
from
a
lot
of
things
and
I
will
keep
trying
and
he
did
giving
us
some
precious
time
together,
which
we
will
always
cherish.
E
Despite
his
resolve,
his
body
ultimately
could
not
survive
the
long-term
toll
of
addiction,
but
I
will
not
forget
that
spirit
of
resilience
he
showed
in
his
final
days
on
earth.
It's
the
same
spirit
of
determination
at
Bree.
That's
all
here
together
tonight,
a
commitment
to
finding
healing
for
ourselves
and
those
around
us.
Renewing
our
resolve
to
do
what
it
takes
to
stop
stigma,
reduce
harm,
build
community,
create
equity
and
support
recovery.
E
Sadly,
we
still
have
far
to
go
to
rid
our
communities
of
the
devastating
impact
of
addiction,
and
the
many
injustice
is
at
its
root
cause.
Persisting
health
disparities
denied
to
many
the
paths
they
need
towards
healing
and
many
in
our
communities
have
also
lost
lost
loved
ones
not
only
to
overdose
but
to
related
crises
like
community
violence
and
the
racism
of
mass
incarceration,
which
disrupts
lives.
E
Instead
of
offering
opportunities
for
healing
and
new
beginnings,
the
threats
we've
seen
to
healthcare
and
social
services
remind
us
how
much
work
we
have
to
do
to
end
this
Emmett
epidemic,
but
I
have
to
believe
we
can
and
will
find
the
collective
strength
and
power.
We
need
to
do
it
together,
dedicating
ourselves
to
the
work
of
healing
and
memory
of
those
we've
lost
in
honor
of
those
who
keep
taking
steps
forward
towards
recovery
and
with
gratitude
to
so
many
of
you
who
offer
support
along
the
way.
E
There
are
so
many
great
programs
in
our
communities
that
are
changing
and
saving
lives,
many
of
which
are
here
today
and
hosting
events
in
the
weeks
ahead
for
recovery
month.
They
need
our
support
and
we
need
more
of
them
so
together,
let
us
raise
our
voices
and
break
the
silence,
telling
our
stories
to
stop
stigma
and
ensure
that
sufficient
services
are
available
to
all.
We
can
cultivate
empathy,
release
judgment,
share
resources
and
lift
up
hope.
E
D
You'll
see
some
of
the
banners
around
City
Hall
beginning
today
and
into
the
month
of
September,
call
us
to
stop
the
stigma
to
celebrate
recovery
and
certainly
to
remember
those
who
have
died
from
the
disease
of
addiction
and
for
all
families
affected,
as
we
bring
that
together
after
mayor
Walsh
speaks
we'll
take
a
candle,
that's
being
distributed
to
you.
This
is
not
a
candlelight
vigil
because
it's
bright
out,
but
for
us
to
take
that
candle
and
to
light
it
at
some
point
before
the
end
of
the
night.
D
Even
if
it's
only
for
a
few
moments
to
recognize
that
there's
light
in
darkness
and
to
bring
forth
that
which
we
need
to
be,
may
we
be
as
loud
as
the
horns
that
are
blowing
now
and
bring
forth
that
voice
into
recovery
and
all
we
bring
before
our
God.
Those
who
call
God
by
different
names
and
different
backgrounds
and
in
a
few
moments
we'll
share
that
and
bring
that
forth
and
recognize
that.
D
But
for
those
of
us
who
are
gathered
and
are
in
recovery
to
recognize
that
which
leads
us
and
guides
us
too,
as
we
bring
together
anyone's
heaviness
today,
most
especially
remembering
those
who
struggle
today
struggle
with
the
grief
struggle
with
trying
to
find
a
solution
and
bringing
that
forth
and
all
that
we're
called
to
be
and
all
we
are.
After
the
candle
announcement
and
after
a
lighting
of
a
candle,
one
candle
has
already
lit,
began
before
the
gathering
ceremony
and
with
that.
But
after
that
will
hear
the
words
sung,
trust
surrender
believe
receive.
D
And
we
are
fortunate
today
to
have
come
so
far
in
trusting
and
in
recognizing
all.
That's
brought
forth
for
the
disease
of
addiction
and
recognizing
the
solutions
and
the
remedies.
One
of
them
is
spiritual,
and
we
combine
that
tonight
and
we're
grateful
to
our
city
that
allows
us
to
be
together
here
and
for
our
mayor,
who
calls
us
forth
in
the
office
of
recovery
services.
I
know
two
gathered
here
is.
A
D
D
There
are
folks
who
are
in
political
office
and
seeking
political
office
and
all
those
we
bring
together,
but
in
first
and
foremost
to
bring
together
who
we
are
as
a
city
and
so
to
combine
that
as
I've
spoken
and
we
bring
together
that
portion
of
faith
and
Christian
tradition
so
to
to
invite
from
the
Islamic
Society
Cultural
Center
Samia,
who
represents
the
Islamic
Society
here
in
Boston,
and
we
welcome
you
some
air
and
thank
you.
I.
F
Come
to
you
today
on
behalf
of
our
senior
Imam,
who
is
currently
making
the
sacred
pilgrimage
in
Mecca
on
behalf
of
our
assistant,
Imam
who's
preparing
for
our
holiday
services.
Tomorrow,
I
offer
you
a
prayer
on
their
behalf.
Let
us
pray
O
Lord.
We
come
together
in
humility
before
your
majesty
and
before
your
grace,
o
God,
we
ask
you
to
give
us
wisdom,
resolve
and
patience
to
face
the
many
challenges
that
are
plaguing
our
communities,
o
loving
God.
F
That
will
help
them
overcome
o
merciful,
one
for
those
family
members
and
loved
ones
in
our
communities
who
have
been
touched
by
addiction,
grant
them
strength
and
wisdom
and
patience
to
bear
your
great
tests.
Oh
dear
Lord,
we
ask
you
to
never
let
us
be
paralyzed
by
loss
or
by
hardship,
but
let
us
be
mobilized
to
act
in
the
face
of
adversity
and
tragedy.
Oh
dear
Lord
heal
our
country
from
the
plagues
of
individualism
and
materialism,
and
racism
and
injustice
that
perpetuate
the
cycles
of
emotional
trauma,
mental
illness
and
addiction.
F
D
In
that
voice
of
faith,
we
say
Salaam
Salaam,
which
is
peace
for
the
Islamic
people,
and
we
bring
together
our
prayers
and
someone
who
would
certainly
be
an
agent
an
agent
in
recovery
in
our
midst,
Mary
Anne,
Frank
oulous
from
Moore,
and
bringing
that
together.
I
didn't
invite
Mary
Ann
forward
to
share
about
the
Massachusetts
organization
of
addiction
recovery
and
to
bring
forth
just
one
word
of
hope.
G
Very
good
Wow:
this
is
an
unexpected
honor
and
I,
always
do
more
for
father
Joe
one
hand
for
father,
Joe
and
the
office
of
recovery
services,
and
all
of
you
here
today
do
you
believe
in
the
value
of
recovery.
Do
you
believe
that
people
in
recovery
someday
are
going
to
surpass
all
the
overdoses
cuz
we're
gonna
speak
up
so
loud?
Won't
that
be
wonderful.
Do
you
believe
that
faces
who
are
visible
and
voices
who
are
vocal
are
gonna
prove
that
recovery
is
valuable.
G
D
In
those
words,
Maryann
has
been
an
agent
as
Samia
from
the
Islamic
Society
mentioned
agents.
We
are
agents,
we
are
instruments.
Marion
has
been
an
instrument.
Some
of
you
have
a
program,
a
worship
aid.
Some
of
you
might
be
familiar.
There
are
some
words.
We've
brought
forth
for
the
prayer
on
the
back
of
the
worship
aid.
For
many
of
us.
We
would
turn
and
say
God,
we
say
in
interfaith.
If
you
would
to
pray
with
me
after
me,
Allah
deny
Lord.
D
The
end
of
that
prayer
calls
us
to
be
mindful
to
be
reasonably
happy
in
this
life
as
we
pray
for
all
those
who
have
gone
before
us
and
remember
them
in
faith.
We
pray
for
them
to
be
supremely
happy
forever
in
the
next,
as
we
bring
those
prayers
together
and
ask
God
to
bless
us
to
bless
those
who
have
gone
before
us.
Those
who
grieve
their
death,
all
those
who
grieve
the
death
of
a
loved
one.
D
Asking
that
blessing
on
the
recovery
services
of
our
city,
the
recovery
services
of
our
communities
and
certainly
praying
for
those
around
us
who
are
in
need
today,
those
beyond
addiction,
but
in
Texas
and
in
Louisiana
and
in
parts
of
our
world
affected
by
disasters
and
disease.
Bringing
that
forth
asking
God's
blessing.
H
Hi
I
just
want
to
let
you
know
about
some
of
the
other
events
that
we're
gonna
be
having
for
recovery
month
to
celebrate,
recover
and
raise
awareness
on
Thursdays
in
September
at
City
Hall.
So
right
here
in
room,
801,
there's
gonna,
be
a
substance,
use
recovery,
101
series
of
listen
and
learn
brown
bag
lunches.
So
you
can
come
bring
your
own
lunch.
H
We're
gonna,
cover
different
topics
and
offer
different
tools,
education
about
the
epidemic
and
things
that
you
can
do
to
help
on
September
15th,
along
with
the
fire
department,
we're
gonna,
have
a
fighting
addiction
in
the
hub
conference.
Called
the
faith
conference
on
September
16th
is
the
second
annual
citywide
walk
for
recovery,
5k
September
20th,
as
was
previously
mentioned,
more
and
BCAAs,
are
going
to
be
having
a
recovery,
Day
celebration
in
March
and
all
throughout
the
month.
H
There's
gonna
be
two
different
galleries:
that's
called
the
opioid
project
by
annie,
brewster
and
nancy
marks
featuring
art
from
people
who
have
lost
someone
to
the
epidemic
as
well
as
people
in
recovery,
and
when,
when
women
succeed
the
quilted
path
by
lamar
she
frazier
she
was
an
artist
in
residence
and
did
work
with
women
in
the
program
on
through
Familia.
It's
a
program
for
women
in
recovery,
so
I
have
all
these
flyers.
I'm
gonna
go
ahead
and
pass
them
out.
Thank
you.
So
much.
C
I
Thank
You
Brandon
and
you
know,
I
was
up
the
office
and
I
was
we
had
a
meeting
on
school,
stuff
and
I
was
thinking
about
coming
out
here
today
and
I
wish
that
we
could
come
out
here
and
in
a
different
way
to
talk
about.
Advances
were
made
in
addiction,
but
unfortunately
we
can't
now
we
here
to
talk
about
recognize
an
international
overdose.
Awareness
Day
I
want
to
thank
father,
Jo
white,
I'm,
sure
father
Jo
CI
nobody's
here,
but
where
is
he
serious?
I
I
want
to
thank
father,
Jo,
white
and
all
of
our
faith
leaders
for
the
great
work
they
do
in
addiction
and
recovery,
but
also
the
work
they
do
in
bringing
our
communities
together.
They
have
the
difficult
job
often
times
because
they
are
the
ones
they
have
to
console
the
family
and
they
have
to
talk
to
family.
So
I
want
to
thank
you,
father,
Jo,
into
all
the
faith
leaders.
I
I
Cuz
nose
knows
the
effects
of
it
and
the
city,
confidence,
rossabi,
George,
another
person
who
understands
the
effects
of
it
of
this
disease,
stiva
passed,
conchiglie,
Eddie,
Flynn
and
other
folks
that
he
I'm
not
calling
them
out
because
I'm
running
for
office
I'm
calling
them
up
because
they've
done
this
work
before
they're.
Not
here
today
is
the
candidate.
Well,
we're
not!
All
here
today
is
elected
officials
were
here
as
people
who
care
about
people,
so
we
want
to
make
sure
that
we
continue
to
move
forward,
continue
to
fight
for
what
we
believe
in
in
2016.
I
There
was
an
estimated
2100
overdose
deaths.
Deaths
in
Massachusetts
202
were
from
Boston
we're
talking
in
the
last
few
years
of
a
NAPA
epidemic,
we've
had
an
epidemic
for
a
long
time
in
the
city,
we've
had
an
epidemic
in
this
state
for
probably
decades
on
losing
people
to
heroin
addiction
and
overdose
addiction.
I
We're
seeing
the
test
rate
go
down
a
little
bit
every
year,
but
we
sit
so
I,
wouldn't
regardless
as
a
sign
of
progress.
What
I
think
we
have
to
do
is
continue
to
work
on
the
stigma
of
addiction.
We
have
to
continue
to
push
the
programming
that
we
have
in
the
city
of
Boston.
We
have
the
recovery
hotline,
3-1-1
line,
Brendon
little
and
Jen
Tracy
responsible
for
and
a
lot
of
other
people
responsible,
putting
that
together,
I
want
to
thank
them
for
it.
We
are
equipped
our
fire
department
and
our
Police
Department.
I
We're
not
can
making
sure
that
our
first
responders
have
the
important
information
important
the
donkey
and
that
they
need
to
bring
people's
lives
back.
I
personally
know
someone
who,
in
the
last
two
months
now
I
can't
saved
his
life
twice
with
training
overdose
prevention
teams,
working
to
make
sure
that
people
understand
the
importance
of
overdose
prevention.
I
We've
done
door-knocking
initiatives
with
the
Boston
Fire
Department
and
Boston
Police
Department,
and
they
go
back
to
the
homes
where
overdoses
have
happened,
to
make
sure
that
the
loved
ones
in
that
home
are
trying
to
receive
or
getting
treatment
if
they're,
not
helping
them
with
treatment.
We're
going
to
continue
to
work
together,
we
need
to
continue
to
read:
eat
reduce
the
stigma
of
this
disease.
It's
a
disease,
alcoholism
and
drug
addiction
is
a
disease
and
it's
okay
to
let
people
know
you're
an
alcoholic
or
a
drug
addict,
it's
okay
to
go
into
recovery.
I
I
September
is
recovery
month.
There's
lots
of
events
happening
across
this
city
and
across
this
state
we're
hosting
weekly
talks
to
subs
abuse
disorders.
Here
at
City,
Hall
we're
joining
more
on
their
recovery
rally
day
downtown
what
we're
doing
the
walk
for
recovery
in
Austin
we're
also
displaying
Angela's
all
right
on
the
second
floor
of
City
Hall.
That's
part
of
recovery
month
tonight
at
City
Hall.
This
building
will
be
colored
in
purple,
so
people
understand
what
it
means.
It
means
overdose
awareness!
I
I
Anyone
that
can
hear
me
with
an
issue
out
of
this
microphone
if
you're
struggling
out
there
or
you
need
help,
there's
a
couple
opportunities
you
can
grab.
Somebody
here
today,
there's
a
good
chance
that
almost
every
other
person
on
this
plaza
right
now
in
front
of
me
is
in
recovery.
We
can
call
3-1-1
and
we'll
be
there
for
you
now.
Let's
ask
father
Joe
to
come
on
going
up.
D
As
many
of
you
received
a
candle
as
we're
gathering
and
praying
so
I'm
gonna
give
one
to
the
mayor
and
ask
him
like
us
to
keep
that
this
evening.
As
a
remembrance
of
those
who
have
gone
before
us
and
all
we
bring
together
and
prayer
for
them
for
their
families,
who
grieve
for
anyone,
who's
struggling
in
recovery
and
into
the
month
of
September
to
celebrate
recovery
as
the
banners
around
City
Hall
call
us
to
recognize
and
bring
our
prayers
together.
J
I
D
I
D
Both
succumbed
to
the
disease
of
addiction
of
overdoses
and
in
that
I
came
across,
something
that
gave
me
hope
going
forth
and
I've
used
it
ever
since
it's
a
symbol
of
an
anchor
and
in
the
thousands
of
years
ago
an
anchor
was
used
when
someone
had
died
as
a
sign
in
a
symbol,
and
in
that
it
was
a
sign
for
safe
journey
and
I
thought
to
myself
how
important
it
is
for
those
of
us
who
are
praying
for
those
who
have
gone
before
us
to
go
on
safe
journey
ourselves
and
in
that
mayor.
Walsh.
D
D
For
those,
as
we
remember
tonight,
those
who
have
gone
before
us
for
ourselves,
we
pray
that
we
might
be
fervent
in
spirit
that
we
might
have
the
opportunity
to
rejoice
in
hope,
sometimes
having
to
endure
affliction
but
persevering
in
prayer
that
we
may
go
forward
in
that
safe
journey.
Let's
bow
our
heads
and
turn
to
that
power
that
we
ask
for
guidance
and
direction.
H
I'm
not
Brendan.
Thank
you,
Father
Joe.
You
actually
get
me
again,
priesthood
ecclesia!
Thank
you
all
so
much
for
joining
us
this
evening.
I
encourage
you
to
visit
our
table
or
visit
Boston
gov.
Slash
recovery
for
information
know
that
the
City
of
Boston
is
always
a
resource
for
you
in
the
mayor's
office
of
recovery.
Services
is
here
for
you.
This
concludes
the
end
of
the
service.
Thank
you
so
much.