Lighting, a Proclamation and a Race to Raise Awareness About Opioid Crisis
Rockville will mark National Recovery Month in September with a race in Town Square and observances throughout the month as the city continues its Rockville Goes Purple campaign against opioid abuse.
Rockville is partnering with SOUL (Surviving Our Ultimate Loss), families, and the county and state government, to mark International Overdose Awareness Day with a public gathering of education, remembrance and hope at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29 in the cafeteria of the Montgomery County Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe St. For more information, visit the city’s calendar at www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx.
The Mayor and Council will proclaim September as National Recovery Month in Rockville during their meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9 at City Hall. Kirk Knight will receive the proclamation. Knight founded the Knight Foundation, which is dedicated to helping those suffering from addiction, and is a partner in the city’s Rockville Goes Purple effort.
The city is partnering with the Knight Foundation to present the Race4Recovery 5K on Sunday, Sept. 29, in Rockville Town Square. The annual run/walk promotes immediate action to those threatened by addiction and overdose while raising awareness and breaking down the stigma of addiction, honoring those lost and supporting those in the fight. The post-race includes food, music, awards and prizes. A virtual event will allow those who can’t attend to walk or run on their own and share a photo to show support. Sponsorship opportunities available. For more information, visit www.TheRace4Recovery.com.
Rockville will truly go purple this month, with signs in the Mayor and Council Chamber and purple lights shining on City Hall and the city’s police station and strung on streetlights around Town Center. Over the coming school year, Rockville Goes Purple will work with youth on addiction awareness and prevention activities.
For more information on Rockville’s fight against opioid abuse, including free training on how to use the rescue drug Narcan (also known as Naloxone) to reverse the effects of an overdose, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/rockvillegoespurple.