Just over a year and a half ago, Toni Torsch lost her son to a drug overdose.

As Torsch grieved, she reached out to a larger community of those who have also lost loved ones to substance abuse. She is now the director of a non-profit named in her son's honor—the Daniel Carl Torsch Foundation—and active in the Perry Hall chapter of GRASP (Grief Recovery After Substance Passing).

In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, Torsch has organized a candlelight vigil at Camp Chapel United Methodist Church, at 5000 East Joppa Road in Perry Hall, between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 31. 

The event is expected to include photos of passed on loved ones, substance abuse and overdose prevention materials, statements from local officials, short readings and poems, a reading of names, a lighting of candles and lanterns, and a moment of silence, Torsch announced.

Community members are welcome to attend.

Find more information on the Patch event listing, Overdose Prevention and Awareness Day Vigil at Camp Chapel.

How can families and neighborhoods work to prevent substance abuse and overdoses? Tell us your thoughts and ideas in the comments.