atTAcK Addiction to honor victims of fatal overdoses Tuesday night on Georgetown Circle

GEORGETOWN, Del. – Tuesday is a night for remembrance in Georgetown.

Commemoration on the Circle

The Sussex County chapter of atTAcK Addiction will be holding an event on the Circle to commemorate those who have died from overdoses. The event starts at 7 p.m.

“Our main purpose is to bring people together, put a face to the name of those who have lost their lives to overdoses, spread awareness, education, and support those that are suffering from losing somebody,” said aTAcK Addiction board member Amy Rust.

Gathering Together

Local agencies will be on hand to provide resources, but the focus is on remembering the fallen. Organizers will have an open microphone set up. Anyone who wants to share memories of their loved ones or thoughts they have about addiction and recovery is welcome to do so. And, banners depicting victims of fatal overdoses will be on display for everyone to see.

“Every year it gets bigger and bigger. It’s a good thing and a bad thing all in one,” Rust said. “Unfortunately, our numbers nationwide are still way too high to make anybody feel okay about it, but in another way, it’s great to see the community pull together.”

And part of pulling together, Rust says, is being open and honest about the struggles of addiction.

“Part of the way to stop the stigma is to be willing to speak about it, admit that it’s happening, and understand how to deal with it,” Rust said. “Obviously, these are people that have lost their way, right? It’s not who they are—it’s a piece of their story. So, sometimes all they need to know is that somebody still cares.”

Opening Up, Reaching Out

Rust says past remembrance ceremonies have been extremely moving. Last year, she says an eleven-year-old girl who had lost both parents to fatal overdoses read a poem about her experiences.

“She has an amazing support group of her grandparents and family that take her to these types of events to remember her parents and know that they mattered,” Rust said. “It’s heart-wrenching—it gives you chills.”

Tough as it may be to have those conversations and share those memories, Rust says it’s a necessary part of the healing process for communities battling addiction. And, it’s a chance for those who think that addiction doesn’t impact them or their loved ones to learn a thing or two, Rust says.

“It can stop that judgment against people of that ‘Not my neighbor, not my child,’ type of mentality,” Rust said. “And, that’s really, really important because that’s what it takes to stop the stigma.”

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead to September, which is National Recovery Month, Rust says she’s excited about another event packed with resources.

Sober Fest will kick off at Hudson Fields in Milton on September 14th. There will be live music, fun activities for families, food, a cornhole tournament, and connections to recovery resources.

“It’s to celebrate those that are in recovery, and show them how to have a day of clean, sober fun,” Rust said. “It’s to promote that their battle is not unseen.”