BAKERSFIELD, CA — Adventist Health Bakersfield invites the community to gather for a day of remembrance, healing, and hope at its Overdose Awareness Flag Raising Ceremony. The event will be held from 11 – 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2, in front of the hospital, located at 2615 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301.

The ceremony will honor the lives lost to overdose, support individuals and families impacted by substance use disorder, and strengthen community efforts to break the stigma surrounding addiction.

A hospital chaplain will provide prayer, and attendees will hear powerful testimonies from individuals personally affected by overdose and recovery. Resource tables will be available, featuring educational materials from community partners including Flood Ministries, Clinica Sierra Vista, and Bakersfield Recovery Services.

“This ceremony is a reminder that healing begins with compassion, connection, and hope,” said Tracy Embrey Hernandez, Emergency Services director for Adventist Health Bakersfield. “We are committed to caring for the whole person and partnering with our community to provide recovery resources and support for those affected by substance use disorder.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 80,000 people in the United States lost their lives to drug overdose in 2024. A sobering statistic, but one that is decreasing, compared to 2023, in part due to awareness.

Adventist Health offers compassionate care and support for individuals facing substance use challenges, depression, or suicidal thoughts.