Montgomery Goes Purple

08/31/2026

Today we remember the lives lost to overdose, honor the families and friends who continue to carry their memories, and stand beside those who are still fighting their way toward recovery.

Behind every overdose is a person. A son. A daughter. A mother. A father. A brother. A sister. A friend. Someone who had a story, someone who mattered, and someone who was loved. I know a lot of families and friends who have lost a child to addiction and overdose, so for me, today is personal. I too carry the memories of those who didn’t make it every day.

As someone who has walked beside a loved one through addiction and into long term recovery, I believe we have to continue fighting the stigma that keeps people suffering in silence. Addiction does not have to be the end of someone’s story.

. . .

And sometimes one person believing that change is still possible can help someone hold on long enough to find a different way of life.

Today, Montgomery Goes Purple remembers those we have lost, supports the families and communities affected by overdose, and continues carrying the message that and every life is worth fighting for. Where there's a heartbeat there is hope.

We remember. We honor. We support.

Tomorrow begins .

Support Recovery!

Adapted from Steals Recovery Foundation

08/31/2026

Tomorrow is International Overdose Awareness Day. There will be articles, posts and conversations about overdose… before you comment, please remember that people who are grieving will see your words- they will see the stigma, the judgment and the negativity… and they will remember it.

Almost everyone you know is carrying the memory of someone they’ve lost. Tomorrow may remind them of one of the worst days of their life. If you don’t have someone to remember tomorrow, I hope you never have to.

It takes nothing to be kind. And if you can’t be kind, it takes even less to just be quiet. 💜

Borrowed from a friend.

08/27/2026

Earlier this month, our team hosted a series of town halls to collect p***c feedback on how the state can best use its share of Rx opioid settlement funds.

We are pleased to share the written summary from these events!

Thanks to everyone who turned out and shared their ideas. Public feedback is essential for ensuring that Maryland considers how to best use funds to address urgent needs in all of our communities.

You can read the summary at stopoverdose.maryland.gov/events.

08/26/2026

Help, please. Give me your play lists and suggestions for music for Saturday's Color for a Cause Run/Walk/Roll. Please include links to your songs. Then come join us for and get color dusted - or dust others - on the 1 mile course this Saturday!!

08/24/2026

Volunteers of All Ages Needed

Fun, Informative, Family Volunteer Activity!
Volunteering as a Family is a Great Protective Factor!
SSL Hours Available
https://montgomerygoespurple.org/events

Volunteer Positions Available

• Color Dusters – Dusters will be stationed at one of five (5) stations to dust interested Color for a Cause participants with color powder as the move along the one-mile course in Rockville. The powder is food grade corn starch and food coloring put into commercial squeeze bottles. Dusters will squeeze the bottle to eject the powder onto participants as they pass by.
o Students earn SSL hours
o Minimum of 20 needed
o 9:00-11:00 am

• Water Distributors – Individuals will be stationed at one of five (5) stations hand bottles of water to Color for a Cause interested participants as they pass by.
o Students earn SSL hours
o Minimum of 10 needed
o 9:00-11:00 am

• Resource Fair Helpers – Helpers will assist Resource Fair Vendors in unloading their materials to a cart and moving the cart to their table while the vendor parks. Helpers may also help vendors load up their vehicles at the conclusion of the event. Volunteers may arrive as early as 7:30 am to help set up tables and chairs and/or stay after to break down (extra SSL hours awarded).
o Students earn SSL hours
o Minimum of 10 needed
o 8:15-11:30 am

• Attendees – Students may also earn SSL hours for attending the event and visiting a minimum number of Resource Fair vendors to learn about:
o preventing mental health and substance use challenges for their wellbeing
o resources for treatment, if needed
o resources and strategies for recovery
 9:00-11:00 am

Students seeking SSL hours must check in AND check out at the
Montgomery Goes Purple table!

Students: Sign up for SSL hours now to get detailed information emailed to you by Friday. https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1299760

Adults: Please email [email protected] to let us know how you want to get involved.

The Crepe Shoppe will have their delicious sweet and savory crepes available,

The Montgomery County Mobile Health Clinic will be on site (https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/department-health-human-services/about-us/public-health-services-phs/mobile-health-clinic)

Montgomery County Police Department will have their Community Opioid Prevention Education (COPE) Trailer open for FREE tours. What's hidden in plain sight in your home?

Resourse Fair with dozens of organizations to help you be your best self!

08/17/2026

Update: The color and bottles arrive today! Message me if you are interested in helping to fill the squeeze bottles with the color powder tomorrow, 8/18, beginning at noon in upper Montgomery County. We have 144 bottles and 200 lbs of color, LET'S PLAY!!
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07/13/2026

Planning is underway for the 11th Annual International Overdose Awareness Day & the Recovery Month Kickoff. If you know someone who lost a family member to an overdose, please share this link with them. Montgomery County hosts a memorial throughout September. Family members can submit thier love one's photo now to have a banner printed and displayed at no charge. https://bit.ly/MoCoIOADPhoto

07/08/2026

Summer Safety Tips for Parents

Summer brings more freedom, changing routines, and new social opportunities – all of which can create moments where teens may face pressure to experiment with alcohol, ni****ne, ma*****na, or other substances.

So, what's the one thing that predicts whether a teen experiments this summer – more than curfews, more than house rules?
• Read our latest article, How to Keep Your Teen Safe This Summer: 8 Ways to Prevent Substance Use, to find out how connection and trust can help keep teens safe.
You'll learn the goal isn't to monitor every move – it's to build trust, stay connected, and create an environment where teens feel supported.

04/23/2026

Time to do some spring cleaning of your medicine cabinet/drawer. Protect your family, friends, and all who live in or visit your home.

Dispose of old medications properly and safely this Saturday during National Drug Take Back Day.

If you must keep medications in your home, it's best to purchase a safe to store those medications safely. You can get one for as little as $35 online and it could save a life.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cxzrc373g/

Join us for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 a.m., to 2 p.m. 💊

Drop off unused or expired medications at any Montgomery County Police station—free, safe, and anonymous.

04/03/2026

New information available on the Maryland Overdose Data Dashboard: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Z2ucTKQd/

RELEASE: Maryland Overdose Data Dashboard now includes near-real-time data on the illicit drug market from the Rapid Analysis of Drugs program. Learn how Maryland will collect and utilize data: bit.ly/3QgHfel.