Gaithersburg, MD – (August 31, 2022) The City of Gaithersburg joins the Montgomery County Goes Purple Initiative in celebration of Recovery Month. Residents are invited to participate in educational and commemorative activities that celebrate recovery and bring awareness to the growing opioid epidemic through the Gaithersburg Goes Purple campaign. Activities include the illumination of City Hall, Wells/Robertson House, and the City’s Youth Centers in purple light, a social media campaign celebrating recovery successes, educational resources at community outreach events, a 34^th anniversary celebration of Wells/Robertson House featuring the Annual Recovery Picnic, and more. 

Wells/Robertson House, owned and operated by the City of Gaithersburg, is a transitional housing program providing services to men and women who are homeless and in recovery from substance use disorder, many of whom also experience mental health disorders.

An official proclamation designating September as “Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month” in the City of Gaithersburg will be presented by Mayor Jud Ashman at the September 6 Mayor and City Council meeting at City Hall. Nathan, a Wells/Robertson House program resident, will receive the proclamation.

The Recovery Month theme, "Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community,” highlights the message that integrated evidence-based care, strong family and community support, and dedicated service providers work together to provide effective treatments and practices, making recovery from mental and substance use disorders in all its forms possible and sustainable. The meeting can be watched live on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter @GburgMD and on the City’s Cable TV channels.

In addition to the proclamation, the City of Gaithersburg encourages residents to take part in activities planned throughout the month of September and to learn more about the Going Purple campaign by visiting the City’s website.

7^th Annual International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD)

Thursday, September 1

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Memorial Plaza, 101 Monroe St., Rockville

Montgomery County hosts its annual IOAD Resource Fair followed by a Ceremony of Remembrance and Candlelight Vigil at Memorial Plaza. The City of Gaithersburg is a co-sponsor of this event.

Gaithersburg Goes Purple Challenge Week – “Safe vs Unsafe” Sorting Game

September 13 – 18

Tuesday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Gaithersburg Community Museum

9 S. Summit Ave., Gaithersburg

The Gaithersburg Community Museum invites you and your child to drop-in anytime during Museum hours to participate in a sorting game that helps them recognize safe vs unsafe drugs.

Drug Take-Back Events

Tuesday, September 20, 10 a.m. – Noon

Benjamin Gaither Center

80-A Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg

The Gaithersburg Police will conduct a series of Drug Take-Back Days in September. Bring your expired or unused medication for safe destruction to help keep highly abused drugs out of the reach of those most vulnerable. Visit the Gaithersburg Goes Purple webpage for updates about other locations. A year round prescription drop-box is available in the lobby of the Gaithersburg Police Station at 14 Fulks Corner Avenue.

33^rd Annual Recovery Picnic

Saturday, September 24

Noon – 7 p.m.

Hillside Pavilion at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm

506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg

A free community event hosted by Wells/Robertson House residents and alumni features guest speakers, a graduation ceremony, music, and festivities.

A Purple Pledge

Join members of the Olde Towne and Robertson Park Youth Centers and take the “Purple Pledge” to remain drug-free.

Additional information and recovery resources are available on the City’s website.