Dozens gather at Springfield City Hall to honor and remember the lives lost to drug addiction

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Last year, over 2,100 people died from opioid overdoses in Massachusetts. To honor and remember the lives lost to drug addiction, a candlelight vigil was held at Springfield City Hall.

Dozens gathered at the steps of Springfield City Hall, to stand in solidarity and offer support to those affected by this epidemic. It was led by the city’s health department to raise awareness about drug addiction and break the stigma around it. Many also got to share their stories of recovery and how it changed their lives, hoping it would inspire others to seek help and join the journey towards healing.

“I found through recovery that having an open mind working with people, working with people, having a welcoming mind open approach and working with people having a recovery community has worked wonderfully well,” said Volunteer Coordinator at Hope for Holyoke, Richard Vigliano.

To prevent further tragedies, he believes more funding should go to recovery centers and more opioid prevention sites should be opened.

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