WORCESTER, Mass. - The 2,125 purple flags at UMass Memorial Health represent each life lost to an opioid-related overdose in Massachusetts in 2023. The annual event is about honoring the story behind every single flag and raising awareness.

“One of those flags a few years ago was for my son,” Dr. James Baker said.

What You Need To Know

  • UMass Memorial Health held an annual ceremony to remember those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to drug overdose was held Wednesday, Aug. 28

  • 2,125 purple flags on the campus green in front of the Ambulatory Care Center of UMass Memorial Medical Center-University Campus represent Massachusetts lives lost to opioid-related overdoses in 2023

  • UMass Memorial Health said there are about 200 fewer flags this year, noting the decrease in overdoses from 2022 to 2023

  • There were an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the United States last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

“One of my patients in particular died the year prior without family," Dr. Jennifer Bradford said. "And, you know, I just want her to know that she was an important part of my life.”

“It's overwhelming how many flags there are," Theresa Asquith said, "and how many people that we've lost.”

Asquith placed flags and a butterfly for Haili and Marc.

“I lost a daughter to [what] I thought was overdose, but it ended up being fentanyl poisoning. She was only 37. She left four children," Asquith said. "A couple of years later, my grandson’s dad also overdosed. And again, fentanyl poisoning, and left us.”

Bradford is a medical director at the detox continuum, Community Healthlink, and said she’s inspired by the strength of her patients.

“What I see is that, you know, my patients are resilient," Bradford said. "I see people who are looking towards a better future, who don't want to be part of a life of addiction.”

“These are people who can recover if they receive proper treatment and without proper treatment," Baker said, "there'll be another flag for them.”

Baker, the event’s keynote speaker, honors his son Mackey through addiction advocacy.

“He would be proud of me as his dad," he said. "He would be proud of Ann, his mom, and he would be proud of this institution for stepping forward and leading the way.”

As overdose-related deaths in Massachusetts decreased by about 10% from 2022 to 2023, Baker and Bradford said there’s still work to be done, and making naloxone more available is playing a huge part.

“We all have the tools to be able to save a life of those who may be experiencing an overdose," Bradford said. "And so, what I would recommend is that everyone in the community carry Narcan, because that's a medication that can save lives and give individuals another chance.”

“That is a major step forward," Baker said. "If there is availability of naloxone, there's training, there's understanding in the legislature to try to make a difference, trying to identify exactly what that is, is a work in progress, what the work continues.”

And as the work continues, Asquith, who helped plant the purple flags this year, said she and many others will continue to honor the stories they carry.

“It’s just one of the things that I can come out and do and try to support the whole program," Asquith said. "So many people, too many people, 2,125 flags were put down this year in remembrance of the people that we lost to overdose and fentanyl poisonings. And I'm really happy and proud to be a part of it.”