NOPE Vigils Aim to Eliminate Prejudice Toward Drug Abuse

By Karen Perry

As we know, so many lives have been tragically destroyed or lost to substance abuse. Too often, the disease of addiction is perceived as deserved and shameful, leaving loved ones to grieve in silence or addicts to struggle alone.

The NOPE National Candlelight Vigil strives to change that.

During the last week in October, in conjunction with Red Ribbon Week, we are raising awareness and opening the doors to recovery through our vigils in more than 50 communities across the U.S. Through speakers, compelling images, and moments of silence, the participants will understand the disease of addiction, which shows no prejudice to people of any walk of life or background.

NOPE believes that once someone understands the depth of addition, he or she will eliminate the prejudice that engulfs the disease and remove the shame that comes with it. We also believe that acceptance of the disease can be humbling to the soul and empowering to those in need of help.

That’s what we hope will be the takeaway for the thousands of people expected to attend our vigils, most of which will be held on Oct. 27.

At our main vigil event in West Palm Beach, Fla., Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will be keynote speaker. At other events, our nation’s drug czar, Director Gil Kerlikowske of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, will address the audience in a recorded speech.

This is our fifth annual vigil. As our event has grown in recent years, unfortunately so has our nation’s drug overdose epidemic. This year, there have been great strides to reverse the trend: new anti-drug laws have appeared in many states; and many more elected officials, including President Obama, have championed the cause of reducing these senseless deaths. Still, the death rates remain high and continue to climb in many parts of the country.

We’re happy to report, though, that in Palm Beach County, Fla., where NOPE is headquartered, the overdose numbers have dropped, likely because of high-profile advocacy and educational campaigns as well as aggressive law enforcement efforts launched by our many partners. So that tells you something: when communities make reducing drug abuse a high priority, the problems tend to diminish.

So I urge you, your families, and your friends to find the time and attend one of our upcoming vigils near your town. Here are the locations: nopetaskforce.org/vigils_locations.asp. If the closest vigil is too far away, host a small vigil in your home. Here are the instructions on how to do that: nopetaskforce.org/vigils_host.asp.

Help us in honoring the memories of those lost to drugs and eliminating prejudice for those suffering from substance abuse.