Greenwood, Aug. 27, 2024
The community of Greenwood and Abbeville will come together for two solemn events aimed at raising awareness and offering support to those affected by drug overdoses. These vigils are part of the activities marking International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st.
Two separate vigils are scheduled to take place. The first will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on August 27 at Court Square in Abbeville. The second will happen from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on August 29 at the Uptown Fountain in Greenwood. Organized by the Greenwood Abbeville Coalition, these events aim to honor the memory of those lost to overdoses and support their families and friends.
Personal Stories and Community Support
Stephen Wood, who lost his brother Brandon to an overdose at the age of 21, was a guest speaker at last year’s event and will share his story again this year. He’ll hold the necklace Brandon was wearing the day he died, a poignant reminder of the human toll of substance abuse. Wood’s words offer hope and validation to others going through similar losses.
Another significant presentation will come from Betsy Royal, the overdose education and Naloxone distribution coordinator. She will demonstrate how to use Narcan, a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose.
A Time for Reflection and Education
One of the solemn moments during these vigils involves ringing chimes to acknowledge each life lost to overdose in the past year. Teresa Roy, Director of Community Outreach with Cornerstone, recalls times when the chimes rang as many as 40 times. Happily, this number has decreased, a sign of growing awareness and intervention.
“When you think that every one of those numbers was a mother, a brother, a father, a son or a co-worker, it’s very daunting,” Roy said. “It’s not ‘those people.’ It’s us, it’s our loved ones. This is happening to people we love and care about and see on a regular basis in our hometown.”
Breaking the Stigma
Roy emphasized the need to tackle the stigma associated with substance abuse. Many individuals hesitate to seek help out of fear of judgment or losing their jobs. “We have to treat abusers as people, not as things. Abusers are more than their abuse,” she said.
Justo Chalaire, Director of Community Impact and Evaluation with the United Way of the Lakelands, echoed Roy’s sentiments. “There is a lot of stigma associated with substance use and overdose, but we know these are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends, and loved ones of many people in our community. The more we stay silent, the more people suffer in silence.”
Resources and Information
The vigils will include speakers, music, and informational resources from nearly 20 organizations. These include the South Carolina Department of Public Health, Carolina Health Centers, and Beckman Center for Mental Health Services, among others. “Resource tables are always available at the vigils,” said Alicia Smith, a prevention specialist with Cornerstone in Abbeville.
Narcan distribution has played a crucial role in reducing overdose fatalities. “That medication alone has saved countless lives,” stated Smith. Narcan distributors in the Lakelands include Cornerstone, Carolina Health Centers, Greenwood Treatment Specialists, and Kinard Manor.
Looking Ahead
Despite a significant drop in overdose fatalities—from 42 to 15 per year—the community recognizes that “15 is still too many,” Chalaire said. Continued awareness, destigmatization, and availability of life-saving interventions like Narcan will be key in further reducing these numbers.
The Greenwood Abbeville Coalition meets at 10 a.m. on the second Thursday of every month at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Greenwood. For additional information, interested parties can call 864-227-1001.
Robert Jordan can be reached for more information at 864-943-5650.
