Recently, 2,150 purple flags – placed along an especially busy section of Route 28 in Methuen – aimed to bring attention to the number of Massachusetts residents who died from overdoses in 2023.

Overdose Awareness Day was observed Aug. 31, followed by National Recovery Month in September.

It’s a time when families and friends acknowledge loved ones lost to drug overdose and to recognize the ongoing efforts of people working toward recovery from substance abuse and mental illness. Family and friends come together to talk about the stigma associated with drug abuse and those who have tragically lost their lives to overdose, while acknowledging the grief survivors experience.

Methuen Police Department Community Engagement Specialist Cole Welch Caffrey, who is also executive director of the Merrimack Valley Prevention and Substance Abuse Project (MVPASAP), organized a Purple Flag placement at the police station in memory of lives lost to overdose. Purple is the color associated with overdose awareness.

Five years ago, she and the late Phil Lahey started placing purple flags at the Methuen Police Department.

Cole said, “In 2019, Phil and myself along with several volunteers, placed 1,000 flags that represented the number of people who passed away from drug overdoses; today we will be placing a total of 2,150 flags that represent the number of people in Massachusetts who passed away in 2023. That’s 1,150 more who have passed away from overdoses. A total of 107,500 throughout the United States has passed away.”

In honor of her husband Phil, Fran Lahey placed flags along with Cole, Police Chief Scott McNamara and some officers, and members of the Greater Lawrence Community Health Center and Essex County Outreach.

Fran said, “I just feel so bad when I see all these flags here because that’s just a sign to show people just how many people have been affected by addiction. It’s a terrible disease and I hate when people say that they think it’s a choice but it’s not.  I think people really need to educate themselves so they know some of the facts.”

 

Merrimack Valley Prevention and Substance Abuse Project Executive Director Cole Welch Caffrey (front left) and Fran Lahey, whose late husband Phil co-founded MVPASAP, are shown with volunteers who helped plant the purple flags honoring lives lost to overdose. Also volunteering were Police Chief Scott McNamara, Officer Aaron Little, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center volunteers Grey Whip, Ilia Castellaros and Brianna Candelario, Lawrence Comprehensive Treatment Center’s Chrystie Towne, Essex County Outreach Center’s Hector Brito, and Dan and Pauline Traficante, Faith Danahy and Paula Sullivan. ML photo by Nancy Reardon