Who: 
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-School Resource Deputies
-Community Policing Deputies
-Explorer Post 900
-Honor Guard
-Technical Services
Support Services Bureau
Department of Detention and Corrections

Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education (NOPE)
Coordinator Laurie Serra
www.nopepinellas.org

Community Partners:

LiveFree - Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Pinellas County

City of Largo

Landon Korabek - OneLove Foundation

Suncoast Hospice – Empath Health

What:
For the ninth consecutive year, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Narcotics Overdose Prevention & Education (NOPE) to host the annual candlelight vigil remembering those who have died as a result of drug and/or alcohol related incidents. The gathering is also an effort to reach out and support those who are currently living with addiction; and bring hope that the community working together can make a difference.

When: 
The candlelight vigil is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2017. The event is open to the public.

Where: 
The event will take place at Largo Central Park located at 105 Central Park Drive in Largo (corner of East Bay Drive and Seminole Boulevard).

Why/How: 
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with NOPE for their annual candlelight vigil.

The vigil’s theme this year is: “Our story is changing.” The mission of NOPE is to diminish the frequency and impact of overdose deaths through community, education, and family support. The theme “Our story is changing” is due to the fact that the opioid deaths in Pinellas County are rising at an alarming 78 percent due to an increase in the use of heroin and fentanyl.

The annual vigil is to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction so that those suffering with the disease will openly seek help. The event will also recognize the many in our community who are suffering from addiction; and aspires to bring hope that the community working together can make a difference.

The vigil will bring together a wide range of groups from the religious, government, and private sectors of the community. Pinellas County School students will also be in attendance.

The event is free and open to the public. Approximately 1,200 people were in attendance for the vigil last year.

Attendees who have lost a family member or friend to drugs or alcohol are encouraged to bring a picture to place on the memorial wall the night of the vigil.

The event is being hosted by Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education of Pinellas (NOPE), and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office with community partners, LiveFree Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Pinellas County, the City of Largo, Landon Korabek OneLove Foundation, and Suncoast Hospice Empath Health.

The media is invited to cover. Please contact Deputy Jessica Mackesy with Pinellas County Sheriff’s Public Information Office at 727-582-6221 for additional information.