The nation’s overdose crisis has hit Philadelphia especially hard. While the Health Department’s Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction (SUPHR) is focused on overdose prevention, our work does not end there. Behind every person lost to a drug-related death, are family members and friends often overwhelmed with grief.

SUPHR’s bereavement program, Philly HEALs (Healing and Empowerment After Loss), provides free support services – including peer support groups and counseling – for people grieving the loss of loved ones due to substance use. During National Recovery Month in September, Philly HEALs has been hosting “Always Beside You,” a traveling art exhibition and series of open mics that allow people to remember loved ones lost to drug-related deaths through music, poetry, and other forms of artistic expression.

On September 22, the “Always Beside You” exhibition will travel to Royal Gardens at Morris Park, at 926 N. 68^th St. in Philadelphia, where an open mic will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Then, the exhibition will travel to the Cecil B. Moore Recreation Center, at 2551 N. 22^nd St. in Philadelphia, where it will be open to the public from 4 to 8 p.m., September 25 – 29. An open mic will be held on September 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Please join us as we host this very special National Recovery Month program.