ST. MARYS, Ga. – Sunday marks International Overdose Awareness Day.
It is a time many people remember those who died from drug overdoses, while several organizations continue their fight to end the drug epidemic.
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There are several events planned in our viewing area, including one in St. Marys, Georgia.
One woman is hosting an event she created as a way to honor her brother.
Brandy Wolfe did not hesitate in sharing how she chooses to remember her older brother, Brian Workman.
“He loved being around family,” Wolfe said. “He loved fishing and hunting. My brother was a very hard worker. He was very intelligent. Very smart. He worked for many high-end companies as a welder. He had a welder certification.”
Workman died from a fentanyl and kratom overdose in 2023. He was 35 years old and left behind a young son.
“You could be around him and he always seemed happy,” Wolfe said. “He never seemed like he was under depression or suffering from mental health or addiction when you were around him. He struggled for many years with addiction. In and out of incarceration many, many times.”
Wolfe said her brother spent six months in recovery at Teen Challenge Jacksonville and seemed to be thriving.
“He lived his best life those last six months,” Wolfe said. “He got to mend relationships with his family members, his son who was only three at the time when he had passed away. It was just such a God-felt story.”
But Wolfe says just two days after leaving that program, Workman overdosed.
“He was found dead in a homeless man’s tent, not even a block away from the facility that he was in,” Wolfe said. “That is just how quickly he was able to find the drugs.”
As a way to honor her brother to remember others, Wolfe launched Brian’s Journey Inc. and is the organizer of Wings of Remembrance Overdose Awareness Day.
Sunday is the second annual event and will happen at Crooked River State Park at 6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Highway in St. Marys. It starts at 2 p.m. and is free to attend.
“I hope that [people] experience, family, and a community coming together to support one another,” Wolfe said.
She has a message to those who may be experiencing the same pain she feels every day as she mourns her brother’s death.
“Keep faith and hope strong,” Wolfe said. “Just know that you are not alone in this. Know that there are so many other family members that are dealing with the same grief as you. Just reach out and know that you have people that you can come to, talk to, and not have to feel like you are stuck alone.”
Wolfe says there will be a butterfly release, food, music, and a chance for people to share stories about their loved ones.
In Jacksonville Beach on Sunday morning, there is the Beaches Memorial Walk. Everything starts at 9 a.m. at the Seawalk Pavilion.
Click here to get your free ticket.
The one-mile walk starts around 10:15 a.m. News4JAX meteorologist Michelle McCormick is serving as the emcee.