WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County will join communities worldwide on August 31 in recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of overdose, reduce stigma, and remember lives lost.
As part of the observance, the Chester County Department of Drug & Alcohol Services will host the Night of Light event on Wednesday, August 27, at 6:30 p.m. on the steps of the Historic Courthouse in West Chester. The gathering will offer residents a chance to reflect, honor loved ones, and learn about resources available for prevention, treatment, and recovery.
In a symbolic tribute, 68 purple pinwheels will be displayed outside the Chester County Justice Center, representing the 68 residents who died from accidental overdoses in 2024. The display will remain through September 2 at the Government Services Center on Westtown Road.
Jamie Johnson, Executive Director of the Chester County Department of Drug & Alcohol Services, highlighted the county’s progress in combating overdoses. “It’s important to note that we continue to have a decrease in overdose fatalities by 20 percent over the last three years,” Johnson said. She attributed the decline to collaboration among county departments, treatment providers, families, and community organizations, adding, “One life lost to overdose is one too many, and we strive for zero overdose fatalities in Chester County.”
The Night of Light will feature keynote speakers, local resource tables, and a luminary ceremony to honor those lost and support individuals on the path to recovery. Organizers emphasize that the event aims to inspire hope, foster compassion, and strengthen awareness of available treatment and recovery options.
Chester County’s participation underscores its ongoing efforts to confront the opioid epidemic while sending a powerful message: recovery is possible, treatment is available, and every life matters.
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