On August 31, City Hall joined landmarks and buildings around the world that were illuminated purple to bring attention to drug-related deaths, increase understanding of drug overdoses and remembering those who who have died or been permanently injured by a drug overdose.

The event kicked off a month long effort to raise awareness and understanding of addiction prevention and treatment during National Recovery Month in September. Now in its 31st year, National Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery, just as the improvements made by those who are managing other health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease, are also celebrated. Learn more about this national month of recognition, how to celebrate the millions of Americans who are in recovery from mental health and substance use disorders, and treatment programs and services available in Alexandria. 

Social media users are also invited to join the “Think you know about opioids? Think again” campaign, a social media campaign launched the City's Opioid Work Group to raise awareness about opioids, misuse, overdose risks, and treatment and recovery. The campaign invites social media users to share short videos and tag three others to share the content with their own networks. View and share the videos and access sample social media posts at alexandriava.gov/Opioids.

Opioids are a class of highly addictive drugs that include prescription painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone, and illegal drugs like heroin. However, addiction is not always the cause of an overdose. Overdoses can happen to a patient recovering from surgery or injury; a teenager experimenting with illegal drugs for the first time; or a child who ingests leftover medication from a home medicine cabinet.

PHOTO CREDITS:  2020 John David Coppola / JohnDC Photography / The Zebra