Overdose Awareness Day Approaches

More than 22,000 purple flags are planted on Boston Common, representing lives lost to the opioid epidemic over the last decade in Massachusetts. The display, planted Thursday, comes ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day on Saturday. --Alison Kuznitz/SHNS

Overlooking a sea of more than 22,000 purple flags planted on Boston Common signifying the toll of the opioid crisis in Massachusetts, Dana DiSenso reflected Thursday on her own journey to recovery as she urged state lawmakers to pass legislation that would enable cities and towns to open overdose prevention centers.

DiSenso, who will soon reach six years in recovery from substance use disorder, said she cannot even count on one hand how many friends she's lost to overdose deaths. There was one year when she lost more than a dozen people and couldn't make it to every funeral, said DiSenso, who now works as a peer support patient navigator in New Bedford.

"I truly think getting the overdose prevention centers is the most important thing we could do at this point -- having a place where people know that they can go to use safely because people are going to use no matter what," DiSenso said. "I've worked in needle exchange programs, and I've watched people come in and get safe supplies and build rapport with the folks working there to the point where they were able to feel safe, to ask for help, to go to treatment. I have friends that are alive because of safe needles, because of Narcan, because of utilizing those programs."

People "don't have to die before they can find recovery," DiSenso added, as she stood beside the heartrending display of fluttering purpled flags planted by the Department of Public Health, Boston Medical Center and people affected by the opioid epidemic. There are a total of 22,125 flags, representing lives lost to overdoses from 2012 to 2023, a DPH spokesperson said.

Massachusetts has recorded more than 2,000 opioid-related overdose fatalities each year since 2016.

The flags, planted Thursday morning ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day on Saturday, will be on display through Sept. 1, according to BMC. Visitors can place stickers on flags in honor of loved ones lost to overdoses and decorate rocks for a rock garden memorial, BMC said.

Locally, SAFE Coalition is commemorating those lost to overdose at the following community events. No registration required, free and open to the public:

• Franklin OAD Vigil, Sat. Aug. 31, 6-7 p.m. Franklin Town Common
• Wrentham OAD Vigil, Sat. Aug. 31, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wrentham Town Common
• OAD Flag Placing, Weds. Aug. 28, 10 a.m. Franklin, Wrentham, Millis, Medway, and Norfolk Commons
• Plainville OAD Flag Placing, Sat. Aug 31, 10 a.m. Municipal Complex Front Lawn

SAFE is looking for volunteers to assist with set up and tear down. Contact SAFE to let them know of your availability and interest.