Paint It Purple- Chillicothe

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(Chillicothe) – The Ross County Health District (RCHD) has partnered with Tiffany Baldwin of Downtown Chillicothe to illuminate Paint Street in purple from August 24 to August 31, 2022 for Overdose Awareness Month. Twenty-three Chillicothe businesses have committed to light up purple to memorialize and remember all the lives we have lost to addiction. This year’s purple lights were purchased through the Drug Overdose Prevention Grant from the Ohio Department of Health.

RCHD has partnered with Chillicothe City Parks and Recreation to organize the ODAD Memorial at the entrance to Yoctangee Park on display through the month of August.

RCHD has also partnered with area groups to organize the Steps of Change event in Yoctangee Park on August 27, 2022 from 4pm 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.

August 31st is 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. In fact, from 2018 – 2021 the data shows a significant increase (86%) in drug overdoses and associated deaths. The data shows the need for our continued efforts to prevent overdose as well as encourage access to recovery and prevention services.

Participating businesses:
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 and Ross County Health District.

Location & Time:
Paint It Purple – Paint Street, Chillicothe – August 24 through August 31.

Steps of Change – Overdose Awareness Event August 27 in Yoctangee Park from 4pm to dusk.