Release from Tapestry:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE & INVITATION TO ATTEND
Date: August 18, 2023
Contact: Liz Whynott, Director of Harm Reduction at Tapestry
Phone: (cell) 413.588.4421
Email: lwhynott@tapestryhealth.org
Tapestry Hosting and Participating in Remembrance and Survival Events, to Honor International Overdose Awareness Day
In Massachusetts, there were 2,357 confirmed and estimated opioid‐related deaths in 2022. Hampshire and Franklin County saw an overall decrease of fatal overdoses (15.9% and 25% respectively), while Hampden County saw an increase of 6.6%.
Tapestry provides overdose prevention education and access to Naloxone (commonly known as Narcan), medication that can help reverse an opioid overdose, to people likely to witness or experience an overdose. In the past year, Tapestry provided over 8,700 Naloxone kits to people across Western Massachusetts who are at high-risk for witnessing an overdose.
In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, Tapestry will be hosting and
participating in multiple events focusing on remembrance, survival, and awareness:
August 23 rd at 5:30pm Overdose Prevention Training at Holyoke Medical Center, Holyoke. A free overdose prevention training event with distribution of Narcan led by Tapestry and Learn to Cope. Registration is required for this event.
Aug 28 th from 5:30pm-8:00pm Easthampton Overdose Remembrance Vigil,
Millside Park, Easthampton hosted by Learn to Cope West and Easthampton Health
Department. Tapestry will be tabling and handing out free Narcan.
August 31 st at 11:30am Flag Raising Ceremony for Overdose Awareness
Day Chicopee Town Hall, Chicopee. A Harm Reduction resource fair will follow
at Chicopee center from 12:00pm to 2:00pm.
August 31 st Free Narcan Training Event: Westfield Public Library at 6 Elm
St. Westfield. No registration needed. From 10:00am-11:00am for Leaders of
Faith Communities from 11:30am-12:30pm General Public - All Welcome and
from 1:00pm-2:00pm Training in Spanish.
August 31 st from 2:00pm-5:00pm Holyoke Overdose Awareness Day: Light
Up the City Purple at Veteran’s Park, Holyoke. Join us for memorial activities,
free Narcan access and training, purple lights, and other resources during the
event co-hosted by Tapestry, Hope for Holyoke, Holyoke Health, and Holyoke
Medical Center.
August 31 st from 5:30pm-8pm Overdose Awareness Vigil Park Square,
Westfield. Join us for this awareness vigil and receive information and resources
about overdose prevention.
August 31 st from 6:00pm-6:45pm International Overdose Awareness Day
Event at Pulaski Park, Northampton. Join us and other community partners
and raise awareness and be connected to resources. There will be a vigil from
7:00pm-8:00pm.
August 31 st from 6:00pm to 7:00pm Overdose Awareness Day Event at
Tapestry, Springfield. Resource fair at Tapestry Harm Reduction site located at
1985 Main St. Suite G, Springfield. Opportunity for agencies/organizations to
connect with individuals and provide information on services provided. From
7:00pm to 7:30pm Remembrance Walk. 7:30pm to 8:00pm Guest speakers and
opportunity for individuals to share the impact overdoses have had on them
personally and in the city of Springfield. 8:00pm to 8:30pm Candlelight Vigil,
Moment of Silence, Conclusion.
August 31 st from 6:00pm-8:00pm Overdose Awareness Vigil: A Day of Hope
and Remembrance at Greenfield Commons, Greenfield. Hosted by The
Recover Project and Tapestry, this event features information and resources and
a silent walking candlelight vigil.
Tapestry is committed to providing high quality, compassionate and community-based care to everyone in our region, including the most vulnerable. We are passionate about providing non-judgmental sexual and reproductive healthcare, syringe access and disposal, overdose prevention and education, HIV support and prevention services, and WIC family nutrition services. When people come to Tapestry for services, they pay based on what they can afford. No one is turned away. Visit www.tapestryhealth.org for more information.
