LINCOLN COUNTY — In 2022, 716 Mainers died from overdose, including residents of Lincoln County. In the face of this crisis, a coalition of organizations and more than 100 regional volunteers is planning 716 Candles, a series of five events throughout the county in late August to build awareness of the local impact and create opportunities for positive change.

“In Maine, we are losing people to overdose at a rate and in a manner that none of us who grew up here years ago could have imagined,” said Brian Townsend, Executive Director of commonspace, (formerly known as Amistad,) a Maine-based peer recovery and support organization. “The scope of the tragedy playing out among us is revealed by the fact that we have all now lost someone we cared about, or at least know someone who has lost someone they cared about. And it is revealed by the urgency of our warnings and the intensity of the parting hugs we offer to our children, friends, family, and others we love.”

The community-oriented project 716 Candles seeks to change that. In late August (to coincide with International Overdose Awareness Day), events featuring music, art, remembrances, speakers, resource tables, and other activities will take place across Lincoln County. Community planning groups have been convening since February and have now formed localized site teams for each of the five events. Last week also saw the launch of the project’s website: 716candlesproject.com. 

“I am thrilled and honored that Healthy Lincoln County has the opportunity to collaborate in an effort such as 716 Candles,” said HLC Director, Larissa Hannan. “It is incredibly important to create space to celebrate and acknowledge individuals struggling with substance use disorder, and those who are taking steps toward, or are in, recovery. It’s also important to dedicate time to remember our loved ones, neighbors, and community members we have lost due to the opioid overdose crisis. I look forward to witnessing Lincoln County take a unified stance as a community to fight against the stigma related to substance use.” 

One major element of 716 Candles is Lights of Lincoln County, a photography project to highlight stories of local people affected by substance use and working for change. 

“The range of people affected and the ways they are affected is extraordinary. So is the way people are trying to make things better,” says Peter Bruun, an artist and activist working with volunteer local photographer Charles Richards to produce the project over the summer. “We want to tell these stories to help the general public see more clearly that they actually are connected to the issue, and that they too can help.”

“We’re still looking for people to step forward and share their stories,” he continued. “Anyone can suggest a person or organization to be considered as a part of Lights of Lincoln County.” 

Healthy Lincoln County will be accepting nominations through Friday, June 9, at 716candlesproject.com, where you can also learn more about the larger project.