I participated in International Overdose Awareness Day 2020 by doing the "Purple Sand Challenge".
International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on Aug. 31 each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.
I saw Hamilton County Coalition was encouraging people to raise awareness by pouring purple sand in the crack of sidewalks. The Purple Sand Challenge was Inspired by the Red Sand Challenge to Honor Victims of Human Trafficking. Each Grain of Purple Sand Represents the Millions of Men and Women Around the World That Have Been Unfortunately Lost to Overdose.
I brought my purple sand and some sidewalk chalk to a local park in Monterey Tennessee. I hope this small action made a difference in someones life.
Maybe it was the sign they needed.
Or maybe my sidewalk art encouraged someone to learn more about overdose and stigma.
