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An Overdose Awareness Week running from August 28th through September 3rd was organized to bring to light the ongoing problem of opioid overdoses in the City and to highlight the variety of resources available to victims. A candlelight vigil was organized on on International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31, 2016, on the plaza in front of Government Center to bring people together in unity. Following the vigil, participants joined a procession from Government Center along South Main Street to the steps of Saint Anne's Shrine across from Kennedy Park. Following a prayer by Father Jay Mello, fifty-five bells were tolled, one for each overdose victim so far this year. The event is in response to the steady rise in overdose deaths in Fall River over the past several years, with numbers moving from 16 in 2013 to 44 in 2014 and 36 in 2015. Click here for a 19-minute video of the event. Click here for the Herald News article. Click here for photos of a door to door information campaign. For more information, contact the Mayor's Office at 508-324-2600.




(Top two rows) Participants leave the vigil in front of Government Center in front of the Overdose Awareness flag flying on Gromada Plaza and head down South Main Street to Saint Anne's Shrine. (Bottom two rows) Father Jay Mello greets walkers from the steps of the Shrine and invites them to be seated on the steps before he offers prayer and Stephanie Perry of Saint Anne's Hospital talks to the group before 55 bells are rung, one for each victim so far this year.