FRAMINGHAM - Framingham FORCE, a local group that aims to shine a light on education and recovery related to the national opioid epidemic, recently recognized the crisis’ impact on Massachusetts by planting flags along the Centre Common.

Community members joined in placing the flags along Edgell Road, with one banner representing one life lost due to an opioid overdose in Massachusetts last year—over 2,300 Massachusetts residents died in 2022 under those circumstances. The group has carried out this practice since 2018.

“Sometimes it feels like the crisis is just a statistic,” local resident Isabella Petroni said while placing flags.

“So this really puts it into perspective of how many lives have been lost due to opioid addiction.”

While recognizing those who have passed away, Framingham FORCE continues to work in tandem with city officials to ensure that those in need are receiving proper resources in both prevention and in recovery.

“We reach out and we, actually, are boots on the ground,” co-founder Cathy Miles explained.

The Framingham Opioid Task Force has been working to solicit feedback from residents through a survey in order to determine how the city's share of money received through nationwide settlements with drug manufacturers and distributors will be utilized. These local efforts have come as Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey acknowledged August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day in the Commonwealth, while September has been deemed nationwide as Recovery Month.

To learn more about Framingham FORCE, visit their website by clicking here.