International Overdose Awareness Day is observed annually on August 31st. The Genesee County Prevention Coalition has led the effort in the county for several years. This has been a staple in bringing forward partners in recovery and the importance of community support. The coalition planning committee members Michelle Ryder, Denise Kolakowski, Lt. Michael Becker, Alexandria Liquia, Troy Ude, Carrie Chanter, and Dante Jennings, coordinated a full day of events for August 31st. New Paths, Inc. led the day with their annual remembrance walk to the Genesee County administration building with residents, staff and community members.
The Genesee County Administration held a Rise & Remembrance event for sharing of testimonies, support resources, and the proclamation reading by Commissioner Dale Weighill. The proclamation established the official Genesee County recognition of Overdose Awareness Day in 2025.
Following the county’s observance, City of Flint concluded the evening in partnership with GHS for food, games, and a visit from BMX star and overdose survivor, Tony Hoffman.
These municipal activities took place amongst 15 events that received memorial kits from the GCPC to honor lives saved and lives lost during their Overdose Awareness Day observances. The vigils GCPC provided were displayed at events by the following organizations:
- Recovery Pathways, LLC
- Genesee Community Health Center
- Catholic Charities
- Peckham
- New Paths, Inc.
- Faith Lutheran Church
- Building Strong Women
- Wellness Services
- Cornerstone Community Church
- Flint Genesee Job Corps Center
- Salvation Army ARC
- Genesee County Opioid Steering Committee and Recovery Alliance Project
- City of Flint
- Great Lakes Recovery Mission
- GHS
- Hurley Medical Center
- The Bridge
- BioMed
Partners were able to share the opportunity to unite on the impact of overdose in Genesee County. Items for display included with Purple lawn flags commemorating lives lost due to an overdose, white lawn flags commemorating lives saved by naloxone, ribbon pins, wrist bands, and GCPC #EndOverdose t-shirts.
Together, these efforts demonstrated a community united in remembrance, recovery and prevention. The impact of the day extended beyond the events themselves, with local radio station WDZZ and broadcast TV station ABC12, helping bring the stories of those affected by overdose to their audience. Through the collaboration of community partners, local government, recovery advocates and residents, the Genesee County Prevention Coalition continues to strengthen awareness and reduce stigma surrounding substance use and overdose.
Learn more:
Listen to full interview with WDZZ here.
Watch ABC12 special report here.
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