Suffolk County is joining jurisdictions around the world in highlighting International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31, 2025, and promoting National Recovery Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of September.
International Overdose Awareness Day is a global campaign to raise awareness of overdose, reduce the stigma of substance related deaths, and acknowledge the grief and loss of family and friends.
National Recovery Month celebrates the successes of those in recovery from substance use disorders. Recovery Month aims to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, celebrate the strong and proud recovery community, and acknowledge the dedication of service providers and community members across the county. Purple symbolizes the recovery movement, challenging stigma and bringing awareness to substance use services and supports. Suffolk County residents are encouraged to attend local events, wear purple, display purple ribbons, and light up their spaces with purple lights to show support for those in recovery and to honor those who have lost their lives to addiction.
“We value every single life in Suffolk County,” said Executive Ed Romaine. “My administration has made a commitment to meet needs of the many residents who are in recovery or experiencing a behavioral health concern. We support a wide range of programs that are ready to serve. I encourage our residents to attend one of the many events that will take place in the coming weeks and --no matter what your needs -- I hope you will reach out today and access the services that you or a loved one needs.”
Accessing services is now easier than ever with new enhancements made to Suffolk County’s Directory of Behavioral Health Services. The sortable, searchable directory features local agencies and programs that provide mental health, substance use, and supportive programs that provide services across the spectrum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. The new interactive directory makes it faster and easier to find the services needed and allows individuals to sort through programs by selecting from a menu of program features, such a program focus, insurance accepted, ages served, and special populations served. Each program is listed a short program description, clickable website link, and mapping.
“One in five adults live with a mental illness and one in two will experience a behavioral health concern at sometime during their lives. Help is available, but not everyone knows how to access the services,” said Dr. Gregson Pigott, Commissioner of Health Services. “Our new directory not only makes it easier to find the services you need but also allows the agencies that are providing the services to represent their programs in greater detail.”
“We are committed to supporting and growing a prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery network that works for the people of Suffolk County. We understand the need to thoughtfully grow this network and make it more connected, so that the resources needed are accessible. Our local behavioral health agencies and community-based organizations are rising to this challenge, and we urge people in our community to engage in the programs and service they have to offer”, said Cari Faith Besserman, Director of Suffolk County Health Department’s Division of Community Mental Hygiene.
Residents are encouraged to access the new directory and to Go Purple by attending one or more of the upcoming events sponsored by towns and agencies that partner with the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.
“Swag Bag” Distribution 2025
The Town of Islip has gone purple by distributing “Swag Bags” across various locations containing purple accessories and informational resources to spread awareness for those affected by substance use disorders and supporting those in recovery. Get a “Swag Bag” and show your support by coming to one of the distribution dates shown below!
Info: Visit https://www.islipgoespurple.com/ or call (631)-348-3514 for more information on all International Overdose Awareness Day and National Recovery Month Events in the Town of Islip for Aug – Sept 2025.
ISLIP
Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Islip Public Library — 71 Monell Avenue, Islip, NY
Great South Bay Coalition International Overdose Awareness Day Events
The Great South Bay Coalition invites those affected by substance use disorders and their families to come to the Bayport Blue Point Library for the events listed below to be informed and spread awareness of those impacted by substance use disorder and support those in recovery.
International Overdose Awareness Day: Sixth Annual Night of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil
To honor International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), the Town of Huntington plans a night at Northport Village Park that begins with a candlelight vigil and a moment of silence for those who have died from overdose and those who lost someone from overdose. This night is meant to spread awareness of substance use disorders and uplift those recovering from it, along with their families.
Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Northport Village Park—63 Bayview Avenue, Northport, NY
THRIVE’S International Overdose Awareness Day: A Day of Remembrance and Action
Join FCA’s THRIVE in remembering and commemorating individuals that we have lost to the opioid epidemic. This heartfelt gathering will feature a call-to-action panel, a candlelight vigil, and reading of names, and conclude with Narcan Training to empower the community with life-saving knowledge. Transportation assistance is available, and food and coffee will be served during the event.
Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: THRIVE Suffolk—1324 Motor Parkway, Suite 102, Hauppauge, NY
Contact: (631)-822-3396
Sixth Annual International Overdose Awareness Day: Rally & Candlelight Vigil
Join the Deer Park Drug Coalition Inc. and local experts, counselors, survivors, public officials and resources to bring awareness, support those who are struggling, and honor lives lost. The Deer Park Drug Coalition plans a night at Geiger Park, featuring a candlelight vigil with a moment of silence in honor of those who have died from or those who have lost someone from overdose. This night is meant encourage cooperation to end the stigma and uplift those who are impacted by substance-use disorder, along with their families.
Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Geiger Park—130 Grand Boulevard, Deer Park, NY
Islip Goes Purple Kickoff
The Town of Islip raises awareness for National Recovery Month by “going purple a special Kickoff Event being held at Islip Town Hall. Kickoff will have guest speakers, resource tables, giveaways, and NARCAN training to help bring support and awareness to those impacted by substance use disorders and celebrate those in recovery.
Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Islip Town Hall—655 Main Street, Islip, NY
Info: Visit https://www.islipgoespurple.com/ or call (631)-348-3514 for more information on all Overdose Awareness and Recovery Month Events in the Town of Islip for Aug – Sept 2025.
Lighting of the Tree of Unity—Kick off Recovery Month—Smithtown and Opioid Addiction Task Force
Smithtown’s Opioid Addiction Task Force plans to kick off National Recovery Month at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, where they will light up the Tree of Unity with purple and white lights to symbolize support and awareness for those in recovery from opioid and substance use addictions. All are welcome to attend to unite and foster encouragement for those affected by opioid and substance-use addiction to continue their recovery journey and bring hope to them and their loved ones.
Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: St. Catherine of Siena Hospital—50 NY-25A, Smithtown, NY
Family Service League—Seventh Annual Walk for Wellness Fundraiser
The Family Service League invites everyone to Belmont Lake State Park for a walk to raise awareness and funds for programs that support thousands of adults and children daily, bringing wellness to those in need and affected by substance-use. Proceeds from registration and donations go to fund the FSL Programs that support those in need. For more information about registration please go to www.fsl-li.org.
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Rain or shine 1.5 Mile or 5K options
Location: Belmont Lake State Park—625 Belmont Avenue, West Babylon, NY
Registration: $20.00 for Parking and a T-Shirt
THRIVE’s Third Annual Kick-Off to Recovery Fair
The Family & Children’s Association (FCA) plans to kick off National Recovery Month at FCA’s THRIVE Recovery Center in the THRIVE Suffolk parking lot for all those 18 years of age and older. Enjoy free entry, food trucks, a live DJ, community resources and more. This event aims to spread awareness about opioid and substance-use addiction as well as support and encourage those on their recovery journey from it.
Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: THRIVE Suffolk — 1324 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY
New York State Department of Health Fifth Annual Overdose Awareness Day
New York State Department of Health is recognizing the people and programs advancing harm reduction, reflecting on lives lost and lessons learned, and reaching toward a more compassionate, equitable future. This multifaceted event will honor those working to end stigma and promote life and health equity across New York State by elevating harm reduction practices, services and support. Anyone may attend this free, virtual event and American Sign Language and Spanish interpreters will be accessible.
Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual Online
Register: Fifth Annual New York State Overdose Awareness Day Tickets, Wed, Sep 10, 2025 at 3:00 PM | Eventbrite
CN Guidance and Counseling Services’ Narcan Training—South Huntington Public Library
CN Guidance and Counseling services will be conducting training for all interested adults and teens 16 or 17 years (with signed parental consent) on how to recognize the signs of opioid overdose and administer Naloxone (Narcan). Participants will receive a free Narcan kit. This training is in an effort to help those affected by opioid addiction and the loved ones surrounding them.
Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: South Huntington Public Library—145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station, NY
Register (Opens September 2): (631)-549-4411
Seafield Center’s Fortieth Anniversary and Wellness Day
Join the Seafield Center at Rogers Beach to celebrate 40 years of healing and hope. Escape to the serene shore of Westhampton for a rejuvenating experience that honors Seafield’s legacy and your well-being. This free event offers the perfect blend of education, connection, and inspiration. For information about registration go to https://conta.cc/4lajP4p
Date: Friday, September 12, 2025; Rain Date— Monday, September 15, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Limit 4 from each agency/2 from each site, for multiple site agencies
Location: Rogers Beach—101-105 Dune Road, Westhampton Beach, NY
Healing Strides—Walk for Recovery
At East Islip Marina Park the Town of Islip plans to have a walk from late morning to early afternoon wearing purple in spirit and honor of those impacted by substance use disorders and those in recovery. There will be guest speakers, giveaways, resources, and refreshments. Wear purple!
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: East Islip Marina Park—333 Bayview Avenue, East Islip, NY
The Tenth Annual Browser Walk
The John Browser, Jr. Foundation partners with Outreach for the annual Heroes Against Heroin 5K Walk at Jones Beach—rain or shine. The Heroes Against Heroin Walk helps to raise funds to help Outreach continue to “Build Healthy Lives” through its lifesaving programs and services for people struggling with substance use. Proceeds from registration goes to the Outreach program to support substance-use programs that help those affected by it. For more information on registration go to www.opiny.org.
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Jones Beach, Parking Field 1—1 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh, NY
Register: $25.00 Fee
Rock N’ Recovery XVII
Rock n’ roll with the Long Island Recovery Association (LIRA) at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church for a night of DJ music, a delicious Italian buffet, and more as the LIRA plans to give support to those recovering from and affected by substance-use disorder by giving away scholarships to students in recovery, encouraging donations to allow continuous support in individuals and families who are impacted by substance-use, and an award ceremony in recognition of those who are working in the field to help those impacted by substance-use.
Date: Friday, September 19, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Upper Auditorium — 10 Ogden Court, Huntington Station, NY
Vibe and Thrive Event
The Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Counseling Center welcomes everyone to a day of fellowship, learning, and entertainment. The Vibe and Thrive event will provide mental health resources, NARCAN training, refreshments, live music and activities for those impacted by substance use disorders for everyone to enjoy!
Date: Friday, September 19, 2025
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Counseling Center—13 McWhorter Street, Brentwood, NY
Connetquot Wellness Day
Connetquot Public Library is sponsoring a wellness event where mindful yoga, crafts, resources, giveaways, and more are done to support those impacted by and recovering from substance use disorders.
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Connetquot Public Library—760 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia, NY