Jackson County Drug-Free Council will mark International Overdose Awareness Day at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31 with a candle-lighting ceremony at One Chamber Square, 101 S. Chestnut St., Seymour.

Elaine Beaman will be the guest speaker and plans to share her story of family overdose, personal trials and prevention message.

The candle-lighting ceremony is designed to remember the casualties of overdose and to allow participants to stand alongside the friends and families of fatal overdose victims.

International Overdose Awareness Day, conducted since 2001, is organized by the Pennington Institute. It is held with the understanding that no one needs to feel shame or disgrace because of a drug overdose, according to a news release from the drug-free council.