A Sea of Purple: Remembering Massachusetts Overdose Victims

On the front lawn of Marlborough’s Walker Building, a sea of purple flags tells a story of both loss and hope. Each flag represents a Massachusetts life lost to overdose in 2024. This year, 1,314 flags were placed, a heartbreaking number, but one that is significantly lower than the 2,125 flags planted last year.

For Kathy Leonard, Chair of the Marlborough Alliance for Prevention, the display is deeply personal, honoring her son who passed away in 2014. The visual impact of the flags is powerful, reminding us that behind every statistic is a person, a parent, a child, a friend whose life mattered.

Volunteers from across the community joined together to place the flags, raising awareness, fighting stigma, and reminding us that this epidemic can touch anyone. Progress is being made, but the work is far from over.

On Wednesday, August 27th, the community will gather again at the Walker Building for a Candlelight Vigil at 6:45 p.m. The event is open to all and will include music, speakers, and a memorial slideshow to honor lives lost while also promoting hope and recovery. The vigil leads into International Overdose Awareness Day, observed worldwide on August 31st, a day to remember, to support, and to commit to change.

Together, we hope for the day when no more flags will need to be placed.