HUNTINGTON, NY – August 31, 2026
Huntington Town officials, Suffolk County and New York State elected officials, nonprofit leaders, community partners and residents gathered on Veterans Plaza Monday to raise a purple flag on National Overdose Awareness Day and officially launch “Huntington Goes Purple” for National Recovery Month. The ceremony served as a powerful reminder of lives lost to addiction, a celebration of those in recovery, and a unified call to action to end the stigma surrounding substance use.
Town Supervisor Ed Smyth opened the event, held on August 31, before turning the podium over to Councilwoman Theresa Mari, the event organizer and liaison for the Town of Huntington Opioid and Addiction Task Force.
“Turning Huntington purple is much more than color,” Mari stated. “It’s about starting conversations that too often go unspoken. It’s about breaking down the stigma surrounding substance use and mental health. And it’s about making sure that people in our community know that asking for help is a sign of strength, and recovery is possible.”
A Community United
The event drew a crowd of elected officials and community partners, all wearing purple to show solidarity. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine spoke about the joint efforts between town and county governments and nonprofit organizations.
“What happens on September first? National Recovery Month, and with towns like Huntington committing to making sure that everyone in this town leads their best life, and those who need help with addiction, get that help,” Romaine said.
He emphasized the importance of education, prevention, and treatment, commending the nonprofit organizations as the frontline workers in the fight against addiction.
Speakers highlighted the progress made in combating the overdose crisis while stressing that the work is far from over. Jeff Reynolds, co-chair of the Opioid and Addiction Task Force, noted a significant drop in fatal overdoses on Long Island, with just one recorded in the past month compared to seven in the previous month.
“That’s incredible progress. But here’s the thing about the number one: it’s too many for something that’s preventable,” Reynolds said.
He called for continued support for prevention programs, especially for young people facing unprecedented levels of anxiety, and for holding insurance companies accountable for providing adequate treatment.
Voices of Hope and Loss
The emotional core of the ceremony was carried by those with personal connections to the cause. Mary Silberstein, co-chair of the task force, asked the crowd to remember the nearly 70,000 lives lost to overdose in the U.S. in 2025.
“70,000 is not just a statistic. It is 70,000 people loved, missed, and mourned,” she said.
Silberstein provided critical resources for those in crisis:
- For a suspected overdose: Call 911 and use naloxone.
- For mental health crisis: Text or call 988.
- For treatment services: Contact the Huntington Drug and Alcohol Counseling Center at 631-271-3591.
Sharon Richmond, whose son Vincent died in 2017, shared her deeply personal journey of turning loss into a mission. Richmond is the founder of Huntington Goes Purple, a vision she brought to the Town of Huntington that began with an event on her son’s birthday in 2018.
“I promised to carry his memory forward, to use my voice to create a greater understanding, compassion, and to help other families find hope so they never have to feel the loss that my family has endured,” Richmond shared, holding a photo of her son. “This purple flag and every purple light that shines across our communities carries a message to those in recovery: We see you. We support you. We believe in you, and we stand by you every step of the way.”
Get Involved: Wellness Walk for Hope
Councilwoman Mari invited the community to participate in the annual Wellness Walk for Hope on Sunday, September 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Heckscher Park. The event will feature resources for recovery, mental health, and family services, alongside live music and family activities.
“Whether you’re in recovery, supporting someone you love, looking for resources, or simply want to stand with our community, we hope you will walk with us,” Mari urged.
The ceremony concluded with officials and community members raising the purple flag over Town Hall, a silent but powerful symbol of the town’s commitment to fighting addiction and fostering a community of hope and healing throughout September.
Photography by Dana E. Richter and June Margolin. Videography by June Margolin. Video Editing by Dana E. Richter.
