A volunteer helps to plant flags on the Boston Common.
On August 29, 2024, DPH honored International Overdose Awareness Day — officially recognized on August 31 each year — by joining with the Boston Public Health Commission and Boston Medical Center to plant 22,125 purple flags on Boston Common in memory of the lives lost to drug overdose in Massachusetts between 2012 and 2023.
Several hundred volunteers and visitors participated in the flag planting event, and heard brief comments from Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) Director Deirdre Calvert and DPH Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein, and Boston Public Health Commissioner, Dr. Bisola Ojikutu.
Loved ones painted rocks to honor those lost to overdose.
Flags and tables remained in place through Sunday, September 1, and welcomed visitors with information, resources, and support. While this memorial stayed on Liberty Mall for four days, staff at BSAS, Boston Medical Center, and Boston Public Health Commission work every day in honor of those who cannot stand alongside us, and to hopefully prevent more flags being planted. Thank you for doing the same in all of the communities where you live, work, and support one another. Thank you to all who volunteered, especially those who worked hard for months to plan this year's event. Your efforts made a huge difference!