The Warren County community will recognize overdose awareness day from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Gen. Joseph Warren Park at Pennsylvania Avenue W. and Third Avenue in Warren.

“International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind,” according to the International Overdose Awareness Day website – overdoseday.com. “The campaign raises awareness of overdose, which is one of the world’s worst public health crises, and stimulates action and discussion about evidence-based overdose prevention and drug policy. The campaign acknowledges the profound grief felt by families and friends whose loved ones have died or suffered permanent injury from a drug overdose. International Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message about the tragedy of drug overdose death and that drug overdose is preventable.”

The culminating event will be a release of biodegradable balloons and community photo opportunity at 5:45 p.m.

The event will start at 3 with an invocation by the Rev. Mark Hecht and Alyssa Wismar will provide the music from 4 to 6.

Information from a number of entities – Family Services of Warren County, Deerfield Behavioral Health, Crossroads Behavioral Health, Single County Authority, the Warren County YMCA, and others – will be available.

There will be T-shirts for sale and give-aways including Narcan, stickers, ribbons, and bracelets.

Refreshments will be available.

Those who attend are encouraged to wear purple to show their support.

In case of rain, the event will be held at First United Methodist Church on Second Avenue.