Reading community honors lives lost to substance misuse and suicide
(7-9 minute read)
On Wednesday, September 17, community members gathered on the Town Hall lawn for “A Time to Gather” - an evening of remembrance, healing, and prevention. The vigil honored the lives lost to substance misuse and suicide across Reading and the Mystic Valley over the past 15 years, while offering hope and support to those in recovery and the families who walk alongside them.
The acoustic duo Cait+Pat provided music before and after the speaking program, creating a reflective atmosphere for those in attendance.
Remarks and reflections
Erica Maillet, Director of the Reading Coalition for Support and Prevention, giving her opening remarks at the A Time to Gather event held on September 17, 2025. Photo by Taylor Gregory.
Erica Maillet, Director of the Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support (RCPS), opened the evening emphasizing the importance of prevention and education. She noted that alcohol is often the first substance young people misuse, and pointed to increasing concerns around stimulants.
Town Manager Matt Kraunelis spoke briefly, highlighting the town’s commitment to support and prevention. He also announced the winner of the 2025 Reading Poetry Contest, Aaron Soto, a Reading Memorial High School (RMHS) senior passionate about writing, art, and education. Soto read his poem “In My Heart’s Fire” to the gathered crowd.
Guest speaker Barrie Brian, of the Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition, shared her personal and family journey with addiction in a powerful talk titled “Ripple Effects.” She recounted growing up with an alcoholic parent, her own struggles with alcohol, and her ongoing effort to support her son, who began using substances at 14. Her message underscored how each choice, like a stone cast into water, sends ripples that affect families and communities alike.
Deputy Police Chief Christine Amendola thanked RCPS for giving officers the tools and resources to better serve residents beyond crisis calls, helping families access the support they need.
Fire Chief Rick Nelson spoke about the life-saving importance of new equipment funded by the town’s Opioid Settlement Fund, including a video laryngoscope to aid patients with obstructed airways during overdoses. He also shared a personal story of losing a cousin to suicide, underscoring the lasting impact on loved ones.
Assistant Superintendent Sarah Hardy explained how additional settlement funds will expand prevention programming in Reading’s middle schools. A part-time position at one middle school has expanded to a full-time educator position for both middle schools, which will help students build resilience, manage stress, and make healthier choices.
A visible reminder
A poignant display of white, yellow, and purple flags surrounded the Town Hall lawn. Each white flag represented the ripple effects on families who have lost a loved one, while the colored flags represented lives lost to substance misuse (purple) and suicide (yellow).
Flag display on the Town Hall lawn representing lives lost and the families affected by those losses at the A Time to Gather event held on September 17, 2025. Photo by Taylor Gregory.
Between 2010-2025, Reading has lost 105 residents - 81 to substance misuse and 24 to suicide. Across the Mystic Valley (2010-2021), the toll reached 906 lives, including:
Malden: 277
Medford: 222
Melrose: 76
Stoneham: 100
Wakefield: 128
Winchester: 24
Prevention and conversations start at home
The vigil also emphasized practical steps families can take:
Five key conversations with kids
Show disapproval of underage drinking and drug use
Show care for your teen’s health and success
Be a reliable source of information about alcohol and drugs
Show that you’re paying attention and discourage risky behaviors
Help your teen build skills and strategies to say no
Families were encouraged to make mutual promises - parents pledging to provide a safe, substance-free environment and unconditional support, and youth pledging to avoid risky situations and reach out when they need help.
Encouraging data from local students
Town Manager Matt Kraunelis presenting 2025 Reading Poetry Prize to Aaron Soto, RMHS senior at the A Time to Gather event held on September 17, 2025. Photo by Taylor Gregory.
The 2023 Reading Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed positive trends:
97-99% of students reported being substance-free in the past month
Compared to 2019, more students are abstaining:
Alcohol-free: 78% (up from 67%)
Cannabis-free: 88% (up from 78%)
Vaping-free: 90% (up from 74%)
Students also reported strong support systems:
89% have a trusted adult at home
71% have a trusted adult in the community
68% have a trusted adult at school
89% have a trusted friend
These findings emphasize that most teens do not use substances - a message that parents, schools, and community leaders continue to amplify.
How the community can help
Community members - whether parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or mentors - were reminded of their important role. Listening, showing up, and maintaining strong relationships with young people can help prevent risky behaviors and support families when challenges arise.
The event closed with gratitude for first responders, educators, prevention specialists, and families working together to create a healthier, safer community.
