International Overdose Awareness Day

Thursday, August 31, 1:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.

The Boothbay Common
1 Common Drive, Boothbay, ME
(Rain location: American Legion Post 36, 25 Industrial Park Lane, Boothbay)

In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day annually held August 31, a program of music and art, remembrance and resource information, and speakers including Governor Janet Mills as well as other local and statewide leaders, advocates, and individuals affected by substance use and loss.

PROGRAM

Throughout the Event:

“Lights of Lincoln County,” a photo exhibition by Charles Richards highlighting Lincoln County “lights” affected by substance use: caring professionals and healers, survivors of loved ones who have passed, and those in and seeking recovery.

Display of Threshold Guardian, a mural-sized drawing by artist Christine Burr Correa.

Narcan training and resource tables with information from community organizations and programs such as Maine General’s Harm Reduction Program, LincolnHealth, Journey Magazine, Better Life Partners, Augusta GRASP Chapter Group, Healthy Kids, Community Resource Council, ME-RAP/Mobilize Recovery, Veterans Benefits Administration, and more.

Complimentary food and refreshments including oranges from Oranges from Morgan,

Food drive! Be a part of the solution by donating bringing to the Healthy Lincoln County table any non-perishable food items you can spare to support our Food Security systems. Food donations will be divided evenly among Lincoln County food pantries through the Twin Villages Food Hub.

1:30 P.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Boogie2Shooz, (the little band with the big sound) is composed of Patti-Jean Cousens and Pam Jenkins. The duo will be performing uplifting songs with a hopeful note to mark the occasion.

2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.

Remarks, testimonials, music, and reflections, including:

An opening song by Jenny Jordan of Alna, whose son Stevie died of an overdose in 2019.

Remarks from Governor Janet Mills, who has served as Maine’s Governor leading the state’s opioid crisis response since January 2019.

Remarks from Tracye B. Davis, who as Medical Center Director of VA Maine Healthcare System oversees a comprehensive medical system providing care to 43,000 veterans.

Remarks from Steven Knockwood, Deputy Organizing Director of the Maine Recovery Advocacy Project (ME-RAP), and a person in recovery from intergenerational trauma, and member of the “Muin Clan” (Bear Clan) of the Mi’kMaq Nation, with Ancestral grounds at Sipekne’katik, Nova Scotia.

Remarks from Holly Stover, who is the State Representative for District 48, and who serves as Addiction Resource Specialist for the Boothbay region’s Community Resource Council.

Remarks from Brian Townsend, Executive Director of commonspace (formerly known as Amistad), creating shared spaces of care, justice, and recovery in all its forms.

Personal testimonials and sharing from the community, including healer Crystal McLain, veteran Rae Sage, advocate Nick Loscocco, peer recovery coach Abigail Boudin, and Char Corbett, Executive Director of Healthy Kids.

Songs by Imij Armstead, Gianni Barbera, and Lauren Crosby.

Remembrance, reflection, and candle lighting, featuring Todd Weir, Pastor of the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, and Sharon Bailey, the Augusta, ME GRASP coordinator.

3:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.

Musical performance by Lauren Crosby, a lobsterman’s daughter and self taught guitarist and singer whose music has been described by Atwood Magazine as capturing “heavy emotions through light, charming music and impassioned lyrics.”