I still mother them….

There is something about the days leading up to Overdose Awareness Day that is hard for me to explain.

Every year, I look forward to this day more than people probably understand. And at the exact same time, I feel the weight of what it represents.

Right now, my phone never stops. My email is ridiculous. There are lists on top of lists. Who needs a table? Where does this person park? Did we remember the water? Are the shirts ready? Who is bringing what? Where are the signs going? What time does the helicopter arrive? Who is speaking when? And somehow, with nearly 100 exhibitors and about a thousand people expected, Becky continues to herd all of these wet cats and make it work.

But underneath all of that craziness is the reason we do it.

The faces.

Every Impact Sign represents somebody who should still be here. Every family walking through Delcastle carries a story. Some will come because they lost someone. Some are in recovery. Some are still struggling. Some work in treatment, harm reduction, law enforcement, healthcare or prevention. Some simply love somebody.

And for four hours, they are all in the same place.

That is what I love about this day.

There are no sides at Overdose Awareness Day. There is community.

There will be laughter. Kids will be running around the Kids Corner. Music will be playing. People will hug friends they haven’t seen since last year. Narcan will be put into people’s hands. Stories will be told from the stage. Resources will be connected. Twenty doves will eventually rise into the sky.

And there will be moments when I look around Delcastle and think about why Face the Facts Delaware exists in the first place.

Vincent.

I would give anything for there to have never been a reason for me to know any of these people. But because there was, I am incredibly grateful for every single person who has taken this journey with us.

Overdose Awareness Day isn’t supposed to be sad from beginning to end. Awareness without action isn’t enough.

We remember the people we lost by doing something for the people who are still here.

We train someone to carry Narcan.

We challenge stigma.

We connect a family to help.

We celebrate the person with 30 years in recovery and the person trying to make it through their first 30 minutes.

We say their names.

And we remind people that substance use disorder does not get to erase everything somebody was before it entered their life.

So, yes, these last few days are crazy. I will probably ask somebody a question I already asked them yesterday. 😂 I will absolutely think of something at 2:00 in the morning that I am convinced we forgot.

But then Saturday morning will come.

I’ll stand there and watch Delcastle fill with people.

And once again, I’ll remember exactly why we do all of it.

For the ones we lost.
For the ones still fighting.
For the ones in recovery.
For the families who love them.
And for the day when we don’t have to add another face to an Impact Sign.

Overdose Awareness Day Delaware
Saturday, September 12
11 AM–3 PM
Delcastle Recreational Park

Come be part of the ripple. 💜