International Overdose Awareness Day - Butterfly Release Event - August 31

Last Updated 8/7/2024

Community Recovery Alliance Hosts 4th Annual Butterfly Release Event for International Overdose Awareness Day that Kicks Off Recovery Month Celebrations. Petoskey, Michigan August 31, 2024 – Community Recovery Alliance (CRA) is hosting their 4th annual Butterfly Release Event on August 31st, 2024 (International Overdose Awareness Day), at Pennsylvania Park in Petoskey from 1pm-3pm. They are joining Recovery Communities from around the world who will also be honoring the lives lost and the families and communities impacted by overdose.

Michigan is seeing positive results from the work to end overdoses, with numbers in 2023 declining from the heights seen during the pandemic1 . In 2023, there were 2,820 overdose deaths in Michigan and 104,719 in the US, down from 2,998 and 108,490, respectively, in 2022. International Overdose Awareness Day celebrates the victories won in this battle and celebrates the impact of the recovery community for individuals and the whole community.

The event will feature a remembrance wall, music, guest speakers, a moment of silence for those we’ve lost to overdose, and a release of the butterflies.

CRA will have First aid kits with naloxone nasal spray for free and available for anyone at the event along with onsite demonstration and education. Opioid related overdose can be reversed with naloxone (name brand Narcan) nasal spray, is safe for anyone not having an opioid overdose, and could save the life of someone experiencing an opioid overdose.

CRA fights to end the silence of substance use disorders, end overdoses, and Together We Can Recover. “Our fourth annual Overdose Awareness Event is a time to remember and honor those we have lost to overdose and Substance Use Disorder (SUD),” stated Caitlin, Executive Director. “This is a problem that touches everyone in our communities, and CRA is working to end overdoses, end the stigma that prevents people from seeking treatment, and providing support to continue the recovery journey.”

“We all have the potential to make a difference and be visible, vocal, and valuable to help spread the message that recovery is possible,” said Koucky.

This event will kick start Recovery Month. The Community Recovery Alliance has more events planned for the month of September, please visit their website www.crami.org for more information. Events will include the grand opening of their new 4000 square foot community center and offices, an event to reduce stigma and break down barriers between the recovery community and law enforcement called Karaoke with a Cop, as well as more fun events and weekly lectures from partner organizations.

1 Michigan Overdose Data to Action Dashboard. https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/category-data