Every year on August 31, communities around the world gather for International Overdose Awareness Day — a time to remember those who have died from overdose, support families and friends affected by loss, and raise awareness about prevention, treatment, and recovery.
In Sullivan County, the annual observance has also become an opportunity to recognize how the community’s response to substance use disorder has changed over time.
As organizers prepare for the sixth annual International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil, advocates say Sullivan County has made significant progress by expanding local resources, increasing awareness, and creating more opportunities for people to seek help.
“The message remains as important as ever,” said event committee member Matt McPhillips.
Nowhere in New York has the opioid crisis hit harder than in Sullivan County, which ranked the highest per capita overdose rate in 2022. But the following year, a shift happened: Sullivan County moved from being the highest overdose rate per capita in the state to third.
Analyzing the most recent data last October, Sullivan County Health & Human Services Commissioner John Liddle said progress came from several strategies: more NARCAN distribution across communities, working with law enforcement agencies on alternative incarceration programs, and more.
McPhillips and fellow committee member Camille O’Brien said one of the most important shifts has been moving away from stigma and toward recognizing the people behind the statistics.
“Substance use disorder is a clinical diagnosis, but there’s still people that we grew up with, our friends, our family members, somebody’s son, somebody’s daughter,” she said.
Organizers say the vigil is not only about remembering those lost, but also about highlighting hope and the resources available to people currently struggling.
McPhillips said the community has developed a stronger network of support since the event began.
“When we first started this process, it was one provider and then the county provider,” he said. “Now there’s multiple choices so everybody can find what fits them.”
He said bringing more services into Sullivan County has been a major step forward, allowing residents to access treatment and support closer to home rather than having to travel outside the region.
McPhillips highlighted the work of local advocates who helped distribute Narcan throughout the community, emphasizing that immediate access to the medication can be critical.
“Somebody can’t get help if they’re not still here,” he said.
The annual vigil itself has grown along with the community response. The event now brings together a wide range of partners, including treatment providers, county agencies, recovery groups, and first responders.
O’Brien said the addition of recovery community members, including those involved with Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, has helped create more opportunities for people to connect with others who understand their experiences.
The focus, she said, is on meeting people where they are.
Recovery, they said, often requires more than simply stopping substance use. It can also involve addressing mental health, housing, family relationships, and other challenges that may contribute to someone’s struggles.
While Sullivan County has made progress, McPhillips and O’Brien said there is still work ahead, including expanding outreach and ensuring resources are available when people need them most.
One challenge is providing support outside traditional hours. O’Brien said someone reaching out for help may only have a short window when they are ready to take that step.
Organizers said including police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel reflects the understanding that the overdose crisis affects the entire community.
“It’s about community coming together to heal,” McPhillips said.
The sixth annual International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil will be held August 31 at 6 p.m. on the lawn of the Sullivan County Courthouse in Monticello.
Attendees are also invited to bring photos of loved ones to be displayed during the event.
Editor’s Note: The International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil in Monticello is presented by Sullivan 180. Sullivan 180 is a financial supporter of Radio Catskill. On August 4, a clarification was made to Sullivan County Health & Human Services Commissioner John Liddle’s statement about progress on Sullivan County’s overdose rate.
Image: File photo of The Sullivan County Courthouse in Monticello on August 26, 2025 at The International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil. (Sullivan 180)