Salisbury, MD – Wicomico Goes Purple (WGP) is excited to announce they will be kicking off year five of their important substance misuse awareness campaign. The Go Purple project aims to educate our community on the dangers of substance misuse and encourages individuals to light their homes and businesses purple and wear purple to spark conversations within our community, especially among our youth. Wicomico Goes Purple strives to share local resources to assist individuals who may be struggling with a substance use disorder and supports individuals on their paths to recovery, all while hoping to shatter the stigma of addiction.
Substance Use Disorders are ravaging our community and unfortunately, overdose deaths are on the rise. “By going purple, and raising awareness around substance misuse, we can begin to eliminate the stigma that surrounds it, in hopes that more people struggling will reach out for help” says Matthew McConaughey, Wicomico County Health Officer.
The Go Purple campaign will kick off on September 9th with our Tri-County Goes Purple kick-off event and will then run the entire month of September, which is National Recovery Month. There will be many ways that the community can get involved. There is also a list of activities and events that will be taking place throughout the month that the community is encouraged and welcome to attend:
- Tri-County Overdose Awareness Day- 08/31/23, 5:00pm-8:00pm, Winterplace Park
- Tri-County Goes Purple Kick-Off Event- 9/9/23, 6:30pm-Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, Shorebirds Game with Fireworks
- Rock for Recovery- 9/16/23, 3:00pm-6:00pm – Oakridge Church
- Shatter the Stigma Walk- 9/30/23, 9:30am-11:30am, Wor-Wic Community College
If you have any questions regarding the events or the project please contact Christina Bowie-Simpson, Go Purple Chair at christina.bowie@maryland.gov or by calling (443) 977-7994. If you or someone you love is struggling with a substance use disorder please call the Wicomico County COAT program 24/7 at (443) 783-6875 or visit the Wicomico County Safe Station 24/7 located at 726 S. South Blvd, Salisbury MD (inside of the Recovery Resource Center).
The Wicomico Goes Purple Initiative would like to thank Spicer Bros Construction, MATClinics, Hebron Savings Bank, and Pohanka Automotive Group for their support and sponsorships.
