SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day, communities across Massachusetts gathered to remember those lost to substance use disorder.

A ceremony in Springfield featured a vigil and a remembrance walk to honor the lives affected by the opioid crisis.

The event, held on the steps of Springfield City Hall, saw dozens of participants come together under the color purple, symbolizing the fight against overdose deaths. The ceremony served both as a tribute to those lost and a call to action for continued efforts in combating the opioid epidemic.

"This crisis doesn't belong to one neighborhood or one family. It touches us all, and it will take all of us working together to turn the tide," said Pedro Alvarez, Director of Harm Reduction at Tapestry Health.

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