August 31, 2015
Chemical dependency and mental health services clinic, Valhalla Place Inc, occupying an office space at Century Office Park in Woodbury, MN, has organized a candlelight vigil for International Overdose Awareness Day.
For the fifth year in a row, Valhalla Place, provider of addiction and mental health services in the Twin Cities, has organized a candlelight vigil for International Overdose Awareness Day. On August 31, 2015, the Twin Cities community is invited to come together to mourn those lost to opiate overdose in the past year, raise awareness in order to prevent further tragedy, and demonstrate that recovery is possible.
Guest speakers will include Hennepin County Commissioner Marion Green and current State Representative Susan Allen. The candlelight vigil will also include music from George Maurer, “Minnesota’s premier jazz pianist”, a prayer from Linda Eagle Speaker, Elder in Residence for Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, a drum circle performed by Ringing Shield Singers, personal stories and a memorial built to commemorate lives lost to opiate addiction.
“As a community and state, we honor those lost to the growing epidemic of overdose-related death; support those who struggle with drug use or abuse; and reinforce the belief that no one should feel shame or disgrace due to an overdose-related death of a loved one,” said Governor Mark Dayton in an official proclamation.
Last year, in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, 144 people ages 17 to 71 died of opiate-related causes. While the rate of opiate-related deaths has decreased in Hennepin County, the rate in Ramsey County increased by 13.5 percent, signaling the need for continued education about opiate addiction and recovery services.
“Each year, Overdose Awareness Day reminds the community to support overdose prevention projects and helps them understand that drug overdose is a social issue, which impacts not only the victim but families, friends and the community,” said Adam Fairbanks, harm reduction services director at Valhalla Place.
The Annual Minnesota Overdose Awareness Day Candlelight Vigil will take place on International Overdose Awareness Day – Monday, August 31, 2015, from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at All God’s Children Church, located at 3100 Park Ave. in Minneapolis. Additional sponsors include the Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment, Minnesota AIDS Project, Minnesota Alternatives, Our Young Addicts, Pineapple RM, Rural AIDS Action Network, Steve Rummler Hope Foundation, and Washburn McReavy.
About Valhalla Place
In Norse mythology, Valhalla was a region where slain warriors were to await the final battle between good and evil. Valhalla Place is the premier provider of addiction and mental health services in the Twin Cities. All services and program follow a harm-reduction approach, which supports the client in the change process and enhances motivation to lead a drug-free lifestyle. Valhalla Place is currently undertaking a Naloxone (brand name Narcan) distribution project, a statewide collaboration between four agencies that distribute overdose reversal kits. Throughout a nine-month period, the project distributed 604 overdose kits and has received reports of 32 overdose reversals.
About JGM Properties
JGM Properties owns and manages the Century Office Park office space, as well as 15 other suburban Minneapolis office space, and warehouse space properties. JGM was founded in 1980 and works with over 300 tenants to provide them with office, warehouse, and retail space for lease in Minnesota.
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