NEWS

Downtown Chillicothe to be painted purple for Overdose Awareness Month

Chillicothe Gazette
USA Today Network
The flags at the entrance of Yoctangee park are part of the Overdose Awareness Memorial. A purple flag represents an overdose in Ross County last year, a white flag represents a life lost due to an overdose.

CHILLICOTHE― While downtown this week you may notice businesses being lit up with purple lights. This is because the Ross County Health District (RCHD) has partnered with Downtown Chillicothe to illuminate Paint Street in purple from Aug. 24 to Aug. 31 for Overdose Awareness Month.

Last year on Sept. 7 Governor Mike DeWine designated Aug. 31 as Overdose Awareness Day. This day is intended to raise public awareness of the drug overdose epidemic and to remember the lives lost to addiction. Like many other communities across the nation, Ross County has experienced the negative impacts of the opioid epidemic. From 2018 to 2021 data shows a significant increase, 86%, in drug overdoses and associated deaths. The data shows the need for continued efforts to prevent overdose as well as encourage access to recovery and prevention services.

Over 20 Chillicothe businesses have committed to light up purple to memorialize and remember all the lives lost to addiction. This year’s purple lights were purchased through the Drug Overdose Prevention Grant from the Ohio Department of Health. Participating businesses include:

  • Highland’s Ice Creamery
  • E.M. Smith Family Jewelers
  • Dwell Real Estate
  • Scattered Things
  • Benson Motes Title Agency
  • Benson Sesser LLC
  • Southern Ohio Axe Throwing
  • Elite Staffing Group
  • Bunstine Law Office
  • City of Chillicothe Auditor
  • Nellie Dog Pottery and Paints
  • High Five Cakes
  • Bernie and Max Stained Glass Studio
  • Rustic Gals Boutique
  • Hometown Hibachi
  • Adena Health System Carlisle Building
  • Paper City Coffee
  • Julie’s Shop on Paint
  • Chillicothe Police Department
  • First Capital Nutrition
  • Ivy’s Home and Garden
  • Ross County Courthouse
  • Ross County Health District

The RCHD have partnered with Chillicothe City Parks and Recreation to organize the Overdose Memorial at the entrance to Yoctangee Park on display through the month of August. This memorial features flags that symbolize the overdoses in Ross County last year. Purple flags represent an overdose, white flags represent each life lost to an overdose.

RCHD has also partnered with area groups to organize the Steps of Change event in Yoctangee Park on Aug. 27 from 4 p.m. to dusk. Activities will include food, music, resources and speakers to educate and raise awareness for overdose prevention. The event will close at dusk with a candlelight vigil in memory of loved ones lost to overdose.