Candlelight Vigil To Remember Those Who Died Of Drug Overdoses

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS, FL -- After her 23-year-old daughter, Jamie, died of an accidental drug overdose in 2010, Lynne Knowles had a choice. She could become paralyzed with grief or she could do something to prevent other parents from facing this tragedy.

Knowles opted for the latter and, in the years since her daughter's death, she has contributed more than 4,000 volunteer hours sharing her story with Hillsborough County school students in the hopes that her cautionary tale will make them think twice about using drugs.

"I wanted to find a way to not let my daughter's death be in vain," said Knowles. "And I wanted to help others. I felt that was the best way to honor her -- to carry on and help others."

Knowles now serves as the president of the Hillsborough County chapter of Narcotics Overdose Prevention & Education dedicated to educating young people about the dangers of using drugs as well as erasing the stigma that surrounds drug abuse, preventing people from getting the help they need.

She knows from experience that drug addiction doesn't just affect the user; it affects the entire family.

To help family members heal from the heartbreak of losing a loved one to drugs, the Hillsborough chapter hosts an annual candlelight vigil open to anyone whose life has been impacted by drugs.

The eighth annual vigil will take place Thursday, Oct. 18 at Hillsborough High School, 5000 Central Ave., Tampa. Hundreds of family members as well as those in recovery or still struggling with drug abuse are expected to attend.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the high school auditorium with a viewing of the memorial wall featuring photos of Hillsborough County residents who have lost their lives to drugs.

A ceremony and program will begin at 7 p.m. emceed by ABC Action News anchor James Tully. Speakers will include Knowles, Cathy Zimmerman of Journey to Healing Heart and a resident recovering from drug addiction.

An outdoor candlelight vigil will follow. Attendees will light candles, bow their heads in a moment of silence and walk across the front lawn of the Hillsborough High School campus carrying their candles.

The same scenario will be simultaneously repeated in a dozen other states with NOPE chapters.

NOPE sponsors the annual event in partnership with the Tampa Police Department and Hillsborough County Public Schools.

Knowles said the vigils aren't just aimed at honoring the estimated 30,000 people who die every year from drug overdoses in the United States. This year's vigil is especially poignant in light of the ongoing opioid crisis that has claimed so many lives, she said.

Throughout the rest of the year, volunteers in NOPE's speaker's bureau stay busy speaking with students throughout the county. During the past eight years, Knowles has personally shared her daughter's story with more than 27,000 middle and high school students.

"Sharing the story of losing a loved one is the most powerful part of the presentation," Knowles said. "We're trying to save lives. We don't want these students to leave their parents with only memories."

At the same time, NOPE wants to eliminate the stigma of drug abuse that makes users feel too embarrassed or ashamed to seek help.

"I think it's working," she said. "I'm seeing more and more kids coming forward, talking more about their issues and getting the help they need. They're realizing they don't have to hide it."

For more information about NOPE and Thursday's vigil, visit the NOPE website.

Images via NOPE

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