Montgomery County will host its annual International Overdose Awareness Day and National Recovery Month remembrance ceremony and resource fair on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Memorial Plaza in Rockville.
This year’s event will include a new “Color for a Cause 1-mile Run/Walk/Roll,” along with a resource fair featuring information on behavioral health, substance use and recovery services. The event will also include community tents, food trucks, free tours of the Community Opioid Prevention & Education trailer, opportunities for students to earn SSL hours, and a memorial ceremony and photo display honoring those who have died from overdose or substance use.
According to the Maryland Department of Health, Maryland recorded 1,408 fatal overdoses in 2025, the state’s lowest total in a decade and a 50% decrease from the 2021 peak of 2,800. Montgomery County accounted for 84 overdose deaths in 2025.
The event is hosted by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services with funding from the Maryland Office of Overdose Response. “Color for a Cause” is supported by Montgomery Goes Purple. Registration is available online, and residents may also submit photos of loved ones for inclusion in the commemorative display.
