A candlelight event is being held to remember those who have died in Pinellas County from drug and alcohol related abuse.  The event will also recognize those still suffering from the disease today.  The vigil, which will be held at Largo Central Park, Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 6:30 pm, is the coming together of many groups from the religious, government, and private sectors of the community.

N.O.P.E. organizers are expecting between 200-300 people. This is a free event and is open to public. Sheriff Jim Coats, one of the scheduled speakers, will talk about the topic of prescription drug abuse and, “the need for public awareness because this has become an epidemic in our county.”   For more information on the vigil, or to add your story to the memorial wall and video, contact Laurie Serra at 727-424-6906. Also follow link to N.O.P.E. website www.nopetaskforce.org

A related event being held on Saturday, November 14, 2009, is Operation Medicine Cabinet.  Operation Medicine Cabinet is an opportunity for citizens to properly dispose of their unused medications in a safe and secure manner. Last April, the first “Operation Medicine Cabinet” collected over one ton of medications from Bay Area citizens.

It is being hosted by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, The St. Petersburg Police Department and Operation PAR in partnership with the LiveFree Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Pinellas County (livefree@operpar.org), among many other community partners. So far, seven drop-off locations have been established.  For more information about Operation Medicine Cabinet contact Sgt. Daniel Zsido 727-582-2836.  See attchment for flier about the event.