Clarity Healthcare hosting Overdose Awareness Day event Thursday night in Washington Park

QUINCY — Clarity Healthcare, in partnership with Adams County Agencies Battling Against Substance Use and Overdose, is hosting an Overdose Awareness Day event from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, at Washington Park.

The community is invited to join the effort to honor people lost to drug-related deaths and end the stigma associated with overdose. Participants can create memorial bags that can be lit up, receive Narcan education, enjoy snow cones and listen to speakers share how overdose has impacted their lives.

The event is happening in unison with International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31.

Overdose deaths are on the rise in the region. In Adams County, 41 people died of an overdose in 2020 compared to 11 people in 2019. Clarity Healthcare is committed to playing a part in reducing the toll of overdose in Adams County with events such as this.

What to expect at the event in Washington Park:

• 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.: Decorate memorial bags, enjoy carnival games, a fire truck tour and refreshments
• 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.: Narcan education, speakers, lighting of memorial bags and moment of silence

Clarity Healthcare is a community health center and is part of Preferred Family Healthcare. For more than 40 years, PFH has been committed to improving the health and wellness in the communities they serve by offering a full continuum of integrated health services. PFH has locations throughout Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Learn more about Clarity Healthcare at www.clarity-healthcare.org and Preferred Family Healthcare at www.pfh.org.