From staff reports
Family, friends and faithful affected by the opioid abuse epidemic came together the week of Aug. 27 in Monmouth County to plant flags in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day.
Members of the Recovery Advocates for the Shore (RAFTS), a community-based organization borne in part out of a 12-step program facilitated in St. Denis Parish, Manasquan, organized the planting of the purple flags, each representing a life lost to opioids in the state this year.
Photo Gallery: Flags in Manasquan mark Overdose Awareness Day
There are nearly 2,000 flags planted.
They will be on display from Aug. 29 to Sept. 4 in two locations: 554 East Main St., Manasquan, and Allaire and Baileys Corner Road in Wall. Personalized flags in memory of loved ones lost were available to be placed at the Manasquan location for a suggested donation of $20.
International Overdose Awareness Day is Aug. 31.
To learn more about RAFTS or to purchase a flag, stop by the Manasquan location Wednesdays or Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. or Fridays from 5-9 p.m. RAFTS may be contacted at 833-227-6237; on the web at raftsnj.org, or on Facebook at facebook.com/RAFTSNJ.