Richmond, Va. WRIC— On Saturday, August 31, at 6 p.m., community members gathered outside Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church for a candlelight vigil organized by The McShin Foundation.
The vigil aimed to raise awareness about addiction, according to Jessie Wysocki, Chief Operating Officer of The McShin Foundation. Wysocki emphasized that addiction affects everyone, regardless of race, gender, or economic status.
The event featured speakers who shared their experiences with addiction—both those who have lost loved ones and those who have overcome it. The Virginia Department of Health reports that around 2,000 Virginians die each year from synthetic opioid-related causes.
Wysocki highlighted the stigma surrounding addiction and how events like this help reveal the true impact of the crisis. Each candle lit at the vigil symbolized a life lost to addiction, and participants could write the names of loved ones who had died from overdoses.
“The goal is to honor those who have passed away,” Wysocki said. Although opioid overdoses have decreased, stimulant overdoses have increased. Wysocki noted that while progress is being made with opioid overdoses, more work is needed to address the rise in stimulant-related deaths.
The McShin Foundation remains dedicated to this cause, with their next event planned for September 7.