Last year, 97 pinwheels were displayed at the Chester County Justice Center for International Overdose Awareness Day – representing the 97 lives lost in 2016 to accidental drug overdose. This year’s display of pinwheels will increase to represent the 144 lives lost to accidental drug overdose in 2017.
As part of Chester County’s commitment to tackle the opioid and heroin epidemic, the County’s Department of Drug & Alcohol Services announces the County’s participation in “International Overdose Awareness Day” on Friday, August 31, 2018. On this day, the County will be joining communities around the world in encouraging residents, businesses and organizations to raise awareness of overdose, reduce the stigma surrounding overdoses and drug related deaths, remember the lives lost to overdose and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends who have lost a loved one.
To mark the occasion, 144 pinwheels will be displayed in front of the Chester County Justice Center on Market Street in West Chester and the Chester County Government Services Center on Westtown Road, representing the 144 lives lost to accidental overdose in Chester County in 2017. In addition, citizens are invited to participate in a moment of silence on August 31st at 9:30 a.m. to remember those lost to overdose and the loved ones left behind.
“Sadly, Chester County lost more loved ones to accidental drug overdose last year than in previous years,” said Vince Brown, Executive Director of the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services.
