Community resource fair, vigil Friday

TORRINGTON — In conjunction with International Opiate Overdose Awareness Day, the Litchfield County Opiate Task Force (LCOTF) will present the second annual Community Resource Fair and Vigil on Friday starting at 5 p.m. in Coe Memorial Park.

This free event is open to all members of the community and will give attendees an opportunity to come together and honor the memory and commemorate the lives of those lost to opioid overdose and addiction,” organizers said in a statement. “Attendees can also learn about available local resources, offer and share support to help those affected, and hear inspiring music and messages of hope and encouragement from those in recovery.”

There will be educational information booths and refreshments available from 5-7 p.m. with representatives from Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, McCall Center for Behavioral Health, Greenwoods Counseling, Authentic Recovery, Home Visiting Family Services, Family Strides, ED Advance, Key Recovery, All About You, Tides of Mind, Western CT MHN and Nurturing Families.

Beginning at 7 p.m., a vigil will begin, featuring speakers, music, prayer and meditation, and a candle lighting ceremony at the conclusion of the evening.

“Our community has been significantly impacted by the loss of lives due to opiate overdose. We wanted to provide an opportunity to come together in our shared loss, and offer support, mutuality and a sense of hope between providers, family and friends and survivors,” said organizer Ariana Cardozo in a statement.

Many organizations and town agencies took part in providing the planning, refreshments and funding for the vigil, including the City of Torrington, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, McCall Center for Behavioral Health, and other members of the Litchfield County Opiate Task Force. For more information, email Ariana Cardozo at ariana.cardozo@mccallcenterct.org at the McCall Center.

The task force recently published a resource guide detailing treatment options, locations and contact information for area detox centers, outpatient drug therapy, residential programs and medication assisted programs. The guide is available at the CHH Emergency Department at 540 Litchfield Street or the McCall Center for Behavioral Health at 58 High Street, Torrington. You may also view it online at www.charlottehungerford.org under Services/Behavioral health/adult tab or request a free copy to be mailed by calling 860-4966719.

Founded by Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and the McCall Center for Behavioral Health, The Litchfield County Opiate Task Force is a collaboration of professionals and advocates from a wide range of hospital, medical, behavioral health, non-profit, government, public safety, and private and public sector organizations that meet regularly to help address and reduce the harmful effects of the state’s opiate epidemic.