Purple Flag Memorial, Free Narcan, and Prevention Trainings Mark Somerville’s Observance of Overdose Awareness Day and Recovery Month

Once again, purple flags will soon solemnly grace the front lawn of Somerville City Hall. They will stand in memory of residents whose lives were lost to opioid-related overdose in 2023 and beyond. The annual flag display is just one way that the City will observe International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 and Recovery Month in September. Free Narcan (naloxone) distribution and training events will also be held, and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is calling on community members to display their own purple items such as ribbons or lights in a show of solidarity. 

“Prevention and recovery work is a critical year-round effort, but these annual observances remind us how important it is to stop and remember each and every life lost. They also offer an opportunity to raise awareness of the life-saving work needed to take on this health crisis,” said Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. “I hope the community will join us in showing support by wearing or displaying purple on August 31 and in September—it could be a ribbon, a light, or a shirt. I also urge anyone interested to join the overdose prevention trainings that our Harm Reduction Community Health Worker will be offering. They are short, simple trainings that could help you save a life.” 

Starting on August 31, the City of Somerville will plant 14 purple flags on the Highland Avenue side of City Hall, representing the 14 Somerville residents who passed away from an opioid-related overdose in 2023. One larger flag will also be planted, representing all those lost in prior years. Purple lights will also light up City Hall in recognition of Recovery Month. The flag and light displays will remain for the entire month of September. 

Free Narcan Distribution and Training Events 

Somerville Prevention staff will host Narcan Distribution Events and trainings to distribute free overdose prevention information and harm reduction materials. These include the overdose-reversing nasal spray naloxone (often referred to as Narcan), Fentanyl test strips, CPR face shields, and syringe disposal boxes.  

      Dates and locations include:   

• Somerville Naloxone Distribution Event and Overdose Awareness Flag Planting 
  • Saturday, August 31, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Narcan Distribution) 
  • City Hall Lawn, 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville 
• Virtual (Online) Overdose Prevention Training 
  • Tuesday, September 3, 3 – 4 p.m. 
  • bit.ly/odprevention23 
• Somerville Naloxone Distribution Event 
  • Thursday, September 5, 2 – 6 p.m. 
  • Davis Square Plaza, Somerville, intersection of College and Highland Avenues 
• Cambridge Public Overdose Prevention Training  (offered by the City of Cambridge in partnership with Somerville) 
  • Monday, September 9, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. 
  • L2 Community Room, Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge 
• Somerville Public Overdose Prevention Training  (offered by the City of Somerville in partnership with Cambridge) 
  • Thursday, September 12, 5 – 6 p.m.  
  • Auditorium, Somerville Public Library Central Branch, 79 Highland Avenue, Somerville 
• Somerville Naloxone Distribution Event  
  • Thursday, September 19, 2 – 6 p.m. 
  • 165 Broadway, Somerville 

For more information, please contact Han Hogan-Rigg at hhoganrigg@somervillema.gov and be sure to follow Somerville Prevention on Instagram: @somervilleprevention.  

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.  

Efforts to secure interpretation into any language will be made upon advance request (at least seven days in advance) by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva or calling 311 at 617-666-3311.