Flags, Fellowship kick off Purple September

CAMBRIDGE - The color purple reigned at the corner of Race and Cedar Streets in downtown Cambridge Sept. 4.

A field of 519 predominantly purple flags fluttered in the late day breeze representing Dorchester’s drug overdose victims since 2017; 85 white flags memorialized the fatalities among them.

People bedecked in purple T-shirts gathered to help kick off the now annual Dorchester Goes Purple community wide September campaign promoting substance abuse awareness and help remove the stigma from seeking recovery assistance.

Started in 2017 by Talbot County  Rotary Club leader Lucy Hughes and Talbot Sherriff Joe Gamble, Dorchester joined in the following year, led by Dorchester Chamber of Commerce President Bill Christopher, Sheriff James Phillips, then States Attorney and now Judge William H. Jones, among others.

Now the entire Mid-Shore Goes Purple, including Caroline, Queen Anne, and Kent Counties,  in a region wide initiative-taking effort.

As music played people mingled, enjoying refreshments supplied by Kona Ice and Tom’s Coffee Trucks, perusing  tables set up on the usually empty grassy lot across from the Bradford House Apartments, sponsored by organizations involved in day-to-day efforts on the front lines of both prevention and response.

Angela Grove, Dorchester County Department of Health Education Program Manager, was the first of several members of the 2024 Dorchester Goes Purple Committee sharing remarks.

Noting that this year’s tagline is “Awareness Begins At Home,” Grove urged listeners to begin having conversations about addiction with those they live and work with, to help with prevention and respond to those needing help.

Dorchester County Council Vice President Mike Detmer, who also serves as community liaison for Congressman Andy Harris, directed his comments to three groups of people.
The first were parents like himself, who he urged to talk with their youngsters.

During a presentation to Cambridge City Council several weeks ago, Detmer said that he intended to drive his own children by the striking flag display and discuss its meaning.

“As a parent, let them know, each flag represents a moment in a life. Those white flags, that could be their last moment,” Detmer said.

To those struggling with and battling addiction, “we’re not here to judge you, we want to help,” he said.

To friends and family of people lost, Detmer also pledged solidarity and understanding.

Dorchester County Sheriff James Phillips reflected back to “the early years” when Dorchester Goes Purple first got underway, giving credit to Christopher, saying “Bill really started it,” with also Judge William Jones, who was then States Attorney, as just some of the people who have continually worked behind the scenes to effect better outcomes.

“Back then, there was no facility in Dorchester County devoted to rehabilitation. Judges Jews, Jones, and Wilson along with Dorchester County Council helped bring in Avenues Recovery with 104 beds. Now we don’t have to send people to jail, there’s an alternative,” he said.

He also spoke of the county’s now regular protocol known as “Dual Diagnosis,” where each person sent to jail gets evaluated for the often-concurring mental health and substance abuse disorders.

Phillips commended the community’s often behind the scenes partners in the ongoing team effort, from County Council to the Chamber, to businesses, with the goal of always achieving better results.

“As long as there are still white flags out there, we want to do better,” Phillips said.

WHCP Morning Edition host Shane Walker, who also works as Residential Program Manager at the Salvation Army’s Cambridge headquarters, stepped up to share his personal story of addiction and recovery.

He recalled that it had been eight years since he chose to begin his journey to sobriety on Aug. 15 at noon, recalling the initial fear and the ultimate reward.

Walker asked those in the crowd to raise their hands if they knew someone who had overdosed on drugs, then if they knew someone who had passed away. Throughout the audience, hands shot up in response to both questions.

“It is a choice. It’s also a disease. But together we, the community, can help,” he said.

“When someone gives you an inkling that they are ready to try to get sober, even if you don’t know what to do or say, please stop and listen, and please also pounce on that moment, so that it doesn’t slip away,” he said.

He urged people to peruse the materials at the tables to get prepared with information on where to turn for help.

“And if they start, and then slip, continue to still love them, and encourage them,” Walker said. “I know from experience that friends help, family helps, community helps, work helps."

Christopher thanked everyone for coming out and reminded everyone that Dorchester County High School and Parks and Recs games will “go purple” this month, with players wearing purple socks and purple stands sections.

He also said that Dorchester Goes Purple committee members, including Sheriff Phillips, are available to come out and talk to local businesses and their employees to help raise awareness of community resources. They can also be found on the Dorchester Goes Purple website at dorchestergoespurple.org .