WICOMICO GOES PURPLE STARTS THIRD YEAR OF AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jennifer Johnson
(410) 219-3947 (Office)
(410) 251-5379 (Cell)
WICOMICO GOES PURPLE STARTS THIRD YEAR OF AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
(August 24, Salisbury, MD) Wicomico Goes Purple (WGP) is excited to announce they will be kicking off year three of their substance misuse awareness campaign. The Go Purple project aims to educate our community on the dangers of substance misuse, and encourages individuals to display purple lights and wear purple apparel to initiate conversations within our community, especially our youth. Wicomico Goes Purple strives to share local resources to assist individuals who may be struggling with a substance use disorder and supports individuals on their paths to recovery.
Unfortunately, with Substance Use Disorders ravaging our community, overdose deaths are on the rise. “We want to help the community understand that this epidemic affects each and every one of us, some just more than others, and let people know that education and resources are available,” says Lori Brewster, Wicomico County Health Officer. In 2019, 41 lives were lost to overdose in Wicomico County, which is 41 lives too many.
The Go Purple campaign runs the entire month of September, which is National Recovery Month, and there will be many ways that the community can get involved. The community can light up their homes or businesses purple, and choose days to wear purple throughout the month. The community is welcome to attend other Go Purple events and activities throughout the month such as:
- Tri-County Overdose Awareness Day: August 31st 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Winterplace Park in Salisbury
- Toiletry Drive: September 1st-31st Drop off toiletries at any of the five drop-off locations throughout the county.
- Downtown Decorating Contest: Judging to be done August 24th. Winners to be announced at Third Friday Downtown on September 17th.
- A Night of Hope: September 30th 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Salisbury Amphitheatre.
For any questions regarding the events or the project, please contact Christina Bowie-Simpson or David Fitzgerald, Go Purple Chairs, at [email protected] or by calling (443) 977-7994.
If you or someone you love is struggling with a substance use disorder please call the Wicomico County COAT program 24/7 at (443) 783-6875 or visit the Wicomico County Safe Station 24/7 located at 726 S. South Blvd, Salisbury MD (inside of the Recovery Resource Center). For more info, visit the Wicomico County Health Department’s website at www.wicomicohealth.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram (WicomicoHealth) or Twitter (@WicomicoHealth).
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