Purple lights and flags to remember opioid overdose victims

ELYRIA — Purple could light up the Old Lorain County Courthouse downtown as early as Monday evening to raise awareness of the opioid overdose epidemic. International Overdose Awareness Day will be observed around the globe Aug. 31 as families remember loved ones who have died or suffered long-lasting injuries from drug use. "We hope this really raises the attention about addiction and mental illness in our communities. We need to be able to get people the help they need," said Elaine Georgas, interim executive director of the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County. County Commissioner Lori Kokoski said the courthouse lights will pay respects to the 89 people who died of drug overdoses last year in Lorain County. Purple and silver are important colors for International Overdose Awareness Day. Silver is the color used to drive awareness of overdoses in general, while purple is specific to opioid addiction. Kokoski said 89 purple flags will be planted on the south lawn of the old courthouse downtown, and more will be placed at other locations around the county. Georgas said she is hunting for four venues for the flags to be displayed. To volunteer, call the MHARS board at (440) 240-7025. Plans are also in the works to place purple ribbons on trees through the week in a show of solidarity for grieving families. The MHARS board is also looking for volunteers to share their stories of recovery from addiction, including what it is like to be revived with the life-saving drug naloxone, and memories of overdose victims. Georgas said one of her goals is to help residents "look past the stigma of addiction" and see that drug abuse "isn't something that someone else deals with, because it could happen to you or me, potentially to anyone." The public health conversation has moved since March to the threat posed by COVID-19. Georgas said it's important not to forget the very real danger posed by opioids. She said that at the beginning of the pandemic, her agency saw a "blip" during which people with addiction were not going to treatment. Now telehealth options are available. But overdoses are still happening, she said — there was a sharp uptick from March to May, especially. Through early June, MHARS tracked 55 fatal overdoses in Lorain County. Numbers for July and August aren't available yet for several reasons, including delays for toxicology testing, Georgas said. She does not expect overdoses to slow. In the aftermath of major historical events such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, overdoses and suicides rose in the months that followed as people struggled to cope, Georgas said. The COVID-19 pandemic is delivering its own share of hardships, from lost family members to lost jobs and the disruption of everyday life. Georgas said there are indications that alcohol-related issues are also on the rise, since people are staying home and drinking more. Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com. WHEN YOU NEED TO TALK Dealing with an ever-changing world can be difficult. Here are some resources that can provide support when you need it:• COVID-19 CareLine: (800) 720-9616• Crisis Text Line: Text "4HOPE" to 741741• 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Hotline: (800) 888-6161• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255• The LCADA Way drug and alcohol addiction and recovery support: (440) 989-4900• Domestic violence support via the Genesis House: (440) 244-1853 or (440) 323-3400• Lorain County Child Protection Services: (440) 329-5340 or call the after-hours line at (440) 406-5121• If you are in need of immediate medical attention or in a life-and-death situation, dial 911 first.