HOPE for a Drug Free Stephens hosting first annual Candlelight Memorial Service on Wednesday

A community-wide candle lit memorial will be held this week to recognize the victims who have overdosed.

HOPE for a Drug Free Stephens Executive Director Kathy Whitmire says on Wednesday, August 31, our community will light candles to honor victims of drug overdose at the first annual Candlelight Memorial Service.

She says this service will commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day and will be held in Downtown Toccoa between Sage and Pond streets from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Attendees should register in front of [ashling] Booksellers beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Whitmire says HOPE for a Drug Free Stephens and The Center for Wellness and Recovery will host this memorial service to raise awareness of the increased risk of overdose due to lethal drugs, like Fentanyl, being distributed on our streets.

According to Stephens County Coroner Chris Stephens, there were 14 drug-related deaths in 2021 due to drug use including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and other drugs.

HOPE for a Drug Free Stephens, along with all the agencies that provide treatment and recovery resources, are sounding a battle cry on Overdose Awareness Day to win the war on drugs and provide the resources and support needed to maintain long term recovery.

Whitmire says “despite the sadness fatal overdoses bring, we hope it will also be a day of hope and progress in our community. September is Recovery Month, and we believe this is an excellent way to bring awareness to the need for treatment and recovery resources here in Stephens and the surrounding counties we serve.”

To honor someone who lost their life to drug overdose by lighting a candle, contact Whitmire at 706-491-3493 or text with the name of the person to be remembered, along with your name and if you have a picture please send by text or email at [email protected]

Again, on Wednesday, August 31, at 7:00 p.m. between Sage and Pond streets, gather with others in the community to honor victims of drug overdoses during the first annual Candlelight Memorial Service.