“We are calling on the community to join us as we remember the lives lost to overdose and show support for those who are struggling with addiction,” said Jacqui Berlinn, a co-founder of the group. “We are inviting anyone who has lost a loved one to overdose or addiction, those who struggle with addiction, those who create policy around addiction, those who provide medical services to those struggling with addiction, and anyone affected by addiction.”
Nearly 1,400 lives lost between January and July will be memorialized at the vigil, she said. Those who attend will be invited to light candles in memory of their lost loved ones.
Berlinn, whose son is battling a fentanyl addiction, said the “Together in Light” sunset vigil is part of International Overdose Awareness Day. It will be held at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 31, at San Francisco City Hall.
Overdose Fatalities
An estimated 107,543 people died of drug overdoses in the United States in 2023, according to provisional data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).Breaking Her Silence
Berlinn told The Epoch Times she has struggled for years to break the chains of her son’s fentanyl addiction and used to hide her story out of shame until she realized a few years ago her silence wasn’t helping her son Corey, herself, or anyone else.He is now housed and is taking methadone, a prescribed substitute synthetic drug used to treat his addiction, Berlinn said.
She urged other mothers like herself to come to the event a half-hour before the vigil starts to meet and greet other parents dealing with drug addiction or the loss of a loved one to a drug overdose.
![Jacqui Berlinn walks with her son Corey who's been homeless and addicted to fentanyl in San Francisco, Calif., on Feb. 22, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F05%2F02%2Fid5237752-Corey-Jackie-Walking-SF_JF_02222023-600x382.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
Saving Lives
Gina McDonald, also a co-founder of Mothers Against Drug Addiction and Deaths, said in a statement the purpose of the vigil is to foster community dialogue about the steps needed to combat the overdose crisis and to encourage public policy changes that can save lives.“We stand together to honor those we’ve lost and to strengthen our resolve to prevent future tragedies,” McDonald said. “This vigil is not only a moment to grieve but also a call to action. We must continue to fight for increases awareness, effective prevention strategies and better access to treatment.”