Sharing stories of Long Islanders lost to opioid abuse at Hauppauge vigil marking National Recovery Month

 Standing before dozens of people in Hauppauge at a vigil Friday honoring the memories of those who died from opioid abuse,, Sharon Richmond shared the story of her son.

Vincent D'Antoni had died of a fentanyl-related overdose in 2017 at the age of 25. But Richmond, of Northport, said: "Vincent was so much more than the way he died. He was my only child, he made me a mother, and loving him was always the greatest gift of my life.

"His story lives when a door to treatment opens up instead of closing," she added. "It lives in every person who is given the time, the treatment and support and opportunity they need to recover."

Richmond, now an advocate, said she hoped that he and others lost to the opioid crisis would be remembered during National Recovery Month for "their laughter, their dreams, their families and their humanity," while continuing to help those still alive who "write their next chapter."

Nonprofit groups and elected officials kicked off National Recovery Month on Friday in Hauppauge with a somber vigil held in the dark under purple light — the official color of National Recovery Month that represents courage, resilience, hope, healing, and transformation — as people held candles representing Long Islanders who died from the opioid epidemic.

THRIVE Suffolk, a recovery community and outreach center in Hauppauge, held the vigil at its headquarters. People lined up to read the names of those who died from opioid-related incidents, some weeping while reading the names and others crying in the audience.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said that in the fight against opioid addiction, forging partnerships with other organizations was "so vitally important."

"Many of you come to this space because unfortunately as a result of some personal tragedy, and I’m so grateful to all of you that you’ve been able to take that tragedy ... and say ‘I don’t want anyone to go through what myself or my family went through,’" Tierney told the room, which had a mix of staff from substance abuse nonprofits and family members of those touched by opioid addiction.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said he knew of people who have struggled with addiction, such as with alcohol, and he knew from experience that "some people need help" to conquer it.

"It’s important that we find our compassion for people ... and we look for ways to make sure they can heal and live the best life possible," Romaine said.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) in late July awarded the Family and Children’s Association $450,000 to expand youth recovery support services at the Hauppauge THRIVE.

Funded through New York State's opioid settlement funds, nonprofit officials say the investment will enhance services for young people ages 12 to 17 recovering from a substance use disorder. The funding will be used to hire and train youth program staff, create a dedicated youth space within THRIVE, provide peer support, transportation assistance and other services, according to THRIVE representatives.

Ryan Kiser, senior director of Recovery Services at Family & Children's Association and a group facilitator at THRIVE, said in an interview after the vigil that there had been a high demand for such services.

"We’re so excited that we can now provide services for this population, because it’s been the biggest ask that I have heard throughout my time and tenure here," Kiser said.