Memorial Gallery submissions are now open to celebrate loved ones lost to overdose
COLUMBIA, S.C. – On Sunday, August 30, LRADAC and the Taylor Watford Foundation invite the community to come together for Release Stigma, Spread Hope, a special National Overdose Awareness Day event dedicated to remembrance, education, and hope. The free event will be held from 4–6 p.m. on the grounds of the South Carolina State House. The event will honor those whose lives have been lost to overdose while reminding the community that overdose is preventable and recovery is possible.
A centerpiece of the event will be the Memorial Gallery, a moving tribute celebrating the lives behind the statistics. Families and friends are invited to submit a favorite photo of their loved one along with a few words describing who they were -- their personality, passions, talents, and the memories that continue to live on through those who loved them. Community members wishing to include a loved one in the Memorial Gallery can submit their tribute online at: https://forms.gle/3uXfGJizHqpx1sQh6
In addition to the Memorial Gallery, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about recovery resources, naloxone, overdose prevention, and the importance of reducing stigma surrounding substance use disorders. The evening will conclude with a symbolic butterfly release representing remembrance, healing, and hope.
"Every person we lose to overdose was someone's child, parent, sibling, friend, or neighbor," said Ashley Bodiford, Director of Prevention at LRADAC. "National Overdose Awareness Day reminds us that behind every statistic is a life that mattered and people who continue to grieve. By honoring those we've lost while educating our community about prevention, recovery, and naloxone, we can replace stigma with compassion and inspire hope that lives can still be saved."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thousands of Americans die from drug overdoses each year, yet many of those deaths are preventable through education, early intervention, access to treatment, and the availability of naloxone.
The event is presented in partnership with the Taylor Watford Foundation, whose mission honors Taylor Watford’s life by raising awareness, supporting families, and advocating for overdose prevention. The public is encouraged to attend this free event and stand alongside families, advocates, healthcare professionals, and community members in remembering loved ones, celebrating recovery, and helping create a future where fewer lives are lost to overdose.
For more information about prevention, intervention, treatment, and withdrawal management, call LRADAC at 803-726-9330 or visit online at www.lradac.org.