Two years ago at Veterans Park in downtown Frankfort was the last appearance public appearance for the International Overdose Awareness Day.
That is until Tuesday night when the special event made a return trip this time at the new Prairie Creek Park venue in downtown Frankfort as individuals and organizations came together for the event which highlighted guest speakers, peer to peer recovery support, Narcan training, treatment resources and the wall of remembrance to go along with live music and food.
“I think for people who have lost someone to an overdose, this is just a nice memorial to them, a remembrance of them and it’s nice for them to be surrounded by people who love them, accept them and know that they are hurting,” said Healthy Communities of Clinton County Coalition Executive Director Lorra Archibald. “We’re doing things in our community to prevent anyone else from dying of an overdose.”
Healthy Communities was one of 14 different organizations from Clinton County and the surrounding area which participated in the event.
Archibald said we have come a long way in this battle.
“I remember when we didn’t have any recovery resources,” she said. “Now, we care for women and 180 (a recovery resource for men) will be opening in early winter. I think that’s the biggest difference is the change in the number of resources we have available in our county.”
Center Township of Clinton County Trustee Jami Pratt said the problem is a matter of not knowing what to do.
“From my point of view, I think it’s a very big problem,” Pratt said. “It’s such a large problem that people don’t know how to grasp it and do what they need to be doing.
“I think people are not as aware as they need to be about drug overdose in Clinton County or anywhere else,” continued Pratt. “I hope people will utilize the vendors that we have to set up.”
Archibald was asked about what she expected out of the evening.
“I hope people are moved to action,” she said. “That’s what I always hope. I hope that people sees the community cares about them and to let them know that their life is worth something. Every single life is worth fighting for.”