Remembering Lives Lost to Overdose
Ellsworth Honors Mainers Lost to Overdose in 2024
The Overdose Awareness Day Event at Knowlton Park on August 31, 2025, featured a display of 490 hand-decorated puzzle pieces, each carrying artwork and heartfelt messages.
Adapted from post contributed by Leo Van Ummerson, Youth Recovery Coach, Maine Recovery Core Intern
On Sunday, August 31, Ellsworth joined communities across the nation in observing National Overdose Awareness Day. Healthy Acadia’s INSPIRE Recovery Community Center hosted a remembrance event at Knowlton Park to honor lives lost to substance use disorder and fatal overdoses.
Although Maine saw a decline in overdose deaths last year, 490 individuals were still lost, a powerful reminder that the crisis continues to affect families and communities. To honor them, staff and community members at INSPIRE created 490 hand-decorated puzzle pieces, each carrying artwork and heartfelt messages. Together, the pieces formed a collective tribute to the individuals we have lost.
The event included a moment of silence, followed by personal stories shared by community members remembering loved ones. Speaking openly about the impact of substance use disorder helps to reduce stigma and encourage more people to seek support and recovery.
Healthy Acadia staff distributed life-saving harm reduction tools, including Narcan, which can reverse an opioid overdose, and fentanyl and xylazine test strips. These resources can mean the difference between life and death.
Additional community partners joined the event. Gordon Smith, Director of Opioid Response with Maine Governor Janet Mills’ Office, shared hygiene and wound care kits, while the Hancock County Youth Recovery team connected with attendees about the importance of starting recovery conversations early and offered informational flyers. The Ellsworth American was also present to document the event and share stories with the wider community.
To read the Ellsworth American article covering this event, click here.
Events like these remind us that behind every number is a person deeply missed and a community committed to change. Together, we honor lives lost, support those impacted, and create a brave space for healing and hope.
-Leo
Vigil in Machias in Remembrance of Lives Lost
In Machias, approximately 20 community members join AMHC, Healthy Acadia, and the Washington County Community Action Team for a Candlelight Vigil in honor of Overdose Awareness Day on Sunday, August 31, at 6 p.m. at Bad Little Falls Park in downtown Machias. A memory tree was available for community members to share names and stories of loved ones. Harm reduction and recovery resources will also be offered, connecting individuals and families with tools for hope, healing, and connection. (photos coming soon!)
Recovery is possible.
Healthy Acadia supports people of all ages in building healthier lives and offers resources for every stage of recovery. If you or someone you know is seeking support, please use the links below to connect. We are here to walk alongside you, wherever you are on your recovery journey.