In their ongoing fight to bring awareness to the national impact of opioid addiction and signal hope for recovery, Rockville’s Mayor and Council proclaimed September as National Recovery Month at their Monday, Aug. 7 meeting.
The theme for National Recovery Month is “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.”
The proclamation states that: “The Rockville Goes Purple initiative is increasing awareness of the dangers of opioids and other substances, and strives to reduce the number of lives lost to drug addiction in our community.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that deaths from drug overdoses reached 107,622 nationwide in 2021, an increase of nearly 15% from the 93,655 deaths estimated in 2020, and 108,500 in 2022, “a staggering record that reflects the crisis and the continued spread of the synthetic opioid fentanyl in the illegal narcotic supply,” the proclamation states.
Lights at City Hall, the Rockville City Police Department headquarters and other city and county facilities will once again shine purple throughout the month.
The theme of the campaign is “Opioids: Let’s Talk About It,” which encourages dialogue about, and openness around, the problems of opioid addiction, and awareness about the dangers of stigmatizing addiction.
The Rockville City Police Department responded to 24 reports of heroin or opioid overdoses in 2022, a 31% decrease from 2021, and three reports of heroin or opioid possession, the same number as in 2021. There were three reports of opioid sales.
Events Throughout the Month Will Include:
- Attendance by members of the Mayor and Council at Montgomery County’s International Opioid Awareness Day event, Thursday, Aug. 31.
- The Rockville City Police Department’s Rockville Goes Purple Drug Takeback, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 at the department’s headquarters parking lot at 2 W. Montgomery Ave.
- Join Rockville City Police Department officers at the Rockville Senior Center from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27 to learn about opioids and drug problems in our community, and how you can help.
- The City of Rockville will collaborate with Montgomery College and Montgomery Goes Purple on the event, “Let’s Talk About Recovery: Supporting Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery,” 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 at Montgomery College’s Rockville campus, 51 Mannakee St. The event will include a panel discussion, education sessions with Drug Enforcement Administration-approved professional credits available and Narcan distribution and training. Student Service Learning hours are available for attending. Also, the event will include sessions on support and resources for mental health and substance-use recovery designed for students, families and those who support them. Register for the event at bit.ly/RGPRecoveryConference. (Note that the link is case sensitive.)
Bethesda artist Suzanne Firstenberg will place several art installations throughout the city.
Check the city’s online calendar at www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar for information as details develop. To learn more about the Rockville Goes Purple campaign, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/rockvillegoespurple.