An event in downtown Bangor on Friday will remember those who lost their lives to drugs and those who are working on their own recovery.

August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day, so the folks at Health Equity Alliance are holding a remembrance event in Bangor's Pickering Square. But it's not just about the people who died of overdoses. It's also about celebrating everyone who chooses a life without substances.

Between 5 and 8 p.m., the bands Summit and Great North Woods will provide music. Folks are encouraged to stop by, enjoy the tunes, munch on some taco's, and get more information about Health Equity Alliance, Bangor's opioid crisis, and the benefits of Naloxone. I'm sharing one of the practice videos for Great North Woods, to give you an idea what the music will be like, and because of total nepotism. (My son's in the band.)

Health Equity Alliance will also be collecting donations for its 'Keep Calm and Carry Naloxone' campaign, that aims to purchase 418 kits containing the overdose-reversal drug. Those kits will be distributed to anyone who either uses opioids or knows someone who does. The organization decided on 418 kits because that's the number of Mainers who died of overdoses in the last year. The names of the lost will be read during Friday's event, to remember them but also to make an impact on the sheer scope of the loss being caused by opioid abuse.

If you can't make the event, donations can be made on the Health Equity Alliance website.

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