Power In Purple: Overdose Awareness Walk Held Sunday
Walkers plant purple flags Sunday at Samuel G Love Elementary School, 50 E. Eighth Street and conducted prayer and service for the recovery and those afflicted by the scourge of drug abuse. Submitted photos
Part of Saint Luke’s memorial service Sunday, the Rev. Luke Fodor, rector of St. Lukes Episcopal Church conducts song, prayer and worship service in memory of those who’ve lost their lives to drug overdose. “30% of the fatal overdoses in Chautauqua County have happened within 100 yards of Love School,” he said.
Walkers plant purple flags Sunday at Samuel G Love Elementary School, 50 E. Eighth Street and conducted prayer and service for the recovery and those afflicted by the scourge of drug abuse. Submitted photos
Part of Saint Luke’s memorial service Sunday, the Rev. Luke Fodor, rector of St. Lukes Episcopal Church conducts song, prayer and worship service in memory of those who’ve lost their lives to drug overdose. “30% of the fatal overdoses in Chautauqua County have happened within 100 yards of Love School,” he said.
Trending
The beautiful bells of St Luke's Episcopal church rang Sunday in remembrance of the many Chautauqua County and Jamestown residents who've lost their lives to drug overdoses.
The church, located at 410 N. Main St., conducted a remembrance service for those who've lost their lives to drug addiction and overdosing. More than 20 people of various faiths were silent during a recovery prayer walk to Samuel G Love Elementary School, 50 E. Eighth St., and conducted prayer and service for the recovery and those afflicted by drug abuse.
"Thirty percent of the fatal overdoses in Chautauqua County have happened within 100 yards of Love School," said the Rev. Luke Fodor, rector for St. Lukes Episcopal Church. "We're walking and seeing each other as humans, no judgment, just prayers and looking at each other as humans – who need help."
Fodor explained that while his church has taken point on the service, several other organizations also assisted with the walk. Fodor said about 50% of the program participants were from organizations like the YWCA of Jamestown, the Jamestown Justice Coalition, MHA and other faith and non-faith-based groups.
"We carried purple flags in honor of the fallen. There isn't one fix to this epidemic. These are humans. We've got to have open hearts," he said. "We need to connect as people; that's how change happens."
For Lynn Bergreen, the church service at St. Luke's was a moving and somber experience she wrote in a Facebook posting.
"A very moving Recovery Service. Thank you to all who spoke and raised their voices in song. As the button states ..."Jesus loves people who use drugs too." Kudos to St. Luke's and the greater Jamestown area for hosting Sunday's Overdose Awareness Prayer Walk.
According to the Center for Disease Control and drugabusestatistics.org, more than 96,700 people die from drug overdoses in the United States in a year; 72 % or 7 out of every 10 overdose deaths are because of opioids addictions and drug overdoses have killed almost a million people. Additionally, 96,779 drug overdose deaths were reported from March 2021 to March 2022; In January 2022, drug overdose deaths exceeded homicides by 306.7% and opioids are the deadliest drug type; at least one type of opioid is a factor in 71.76% of deaths. The following was reported as causes for drug abuse related fatalities. Opioids, 67.8% deaths; Cocaine, 21.2% deaths; Psychostimulants, 20.6% deaths and Methadone, 4.03% resulted in deaths.
Moreover, New York state is the third leading state in drug overdose deaths with 4,377 in 2022 – statistics topped only by California 6,198 and Florida with 5,264.
To receive help with drug addictions contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 800-662-4357, or visit ww.usa.gov/substance-abuse .