Maple Grove To Recognize Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31
The city of Maple Grove is using the last day of August to shine a light on issues related to drug addiction.
Aug. 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day.
The Maple Grove City Council recently approved a proclamation recognizing the day.
The council first recognized the day back in 2020 following the death of 19-year-old athlete Grant Simek.
The Maple Grove City Council first recognized International Overdose Awareness Day in 2020 following the death of 19-year-old Grant Simek.
His mother found him slumped over in his bed after he overdosed on fentanyl.
She then displayed a purple chair outside the family’s home in remembrance of Simek.
“The chair represents the chair at the table that will be left, forever,” said Chrissy Princeton, Simek’s mother. “Without having my child there at the table every night for dinner. There will always be an empty spot and that chair represents him.”
Those observing the day can hang purple lights or ribbons outside their home.
Maple Grove City Council Member Kristy Barnett said meeting Simek’s family was one of the most important experiences she’d had while serving on the council.
“Addiction is something that I have — not personally experienced, but through my family have also seen people struggle with and I know that our residents do too,” Barnett said.
Maple Grove’s Town Green will be lit up in purple in recognition of the day.
