Hoan Bridge to be lit purple to honor International Overdose Awareness Day

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Hoan Bridge will be lit purple in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day on Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Officials say the purple illumination will help Milwaukee remember the lives lost in the city and country and throughout the world to drug overdose.

“This is a powerful and moving way to honor and remember those we have lost to addiction, and on behalf of the City-County Heroin, Opioid, and Cocaine Task Force, I want to express our deep appreciation to those at Light The Hoan who are making it possible,” Alderman Murphy said.

A few days ago the bridge was lit up in stars and stripes to welcome home a group of World War II, Korea and Vietnam veterans returning home from a Stars and Stripes Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.

Alderman Murphy, who sponsored legislation creating the city's anti-overdose initiative, said he is grateful for the recognition.

“Light The Hoan recognizes the damage and pain that opioid addiction and overdose deaths have brought to our city and region, and they value the efforts to find solutions and more effective means of prevention. That is deeply meaningful and sums up what they are truly about,” he said.