Purple represents overdose awareness, and purple ribbons are wrapped around trees and posts in Town in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day. (Photo courtesy Town of Canton) 
Lawn signs conveying Aug. 31 as Overdose Awareness Day have been posted outside Town facilities and homes throughout Canton. (Photo courtesy Town of Canton)
CANTON — The Canton community is invited to attend the annual Celebration of Life event this week, hosted by the Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA) in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day.
International Overdose Awareness Day, observed on Aug. 31, is a day to remember those who have been lost to overdose and acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind.
The Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse will hold the seventh annual Celebration of Life at 7 p.m. on the front lawn of the Canton Senior Center, 500 Pleasant St. The program will include readings by CAASA members, music by Michael Hohmann, a keynote speaker and reading of the names of those lost.
Additionally, Canton residents who have lost a loved one to overdose or substance use disorder can submit a photo that will be included in a slideshow, which will run during the event. The photo can be emailed to Diane Tynan at dtynan@town.canton.ma.us. Please also include the person’s name, birth date and date of passing.
The event is free to attend and all are welcome.
In addition to the Celebration of Life, CAASA is promoting awareness throughout the month of August. Lawn signs drawing attention to Overdose Awareness Day have been posted outside Town facilities and homes throughout Canton. Purple represents overdose awareness, and purple ribbons are also wrapped around trees and posts in Town.
International Overdose Awareness Day seeks to facilitate a better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug misuse. The 2023 theme, “Recognizing those people who go unseen,” is about acknowledging people who are affected by overdose but might go unseen in the crisis.
To learn more about International Overdose Awareness Day, visit https://www.overdoseday.com/.
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