Communities across New Hampshire are holding vigils Thursday evening to honor the hundreds of lives lost in the state's drug epidemic.
Lisa Walsh's 24-year-old son, Shane, died from a fentanyl overdose last year. She said it’s been hard to share her loss with others. That’s why she and five other mothers who’ve also seen loved ones die have teamed up to put on tonight’s vigil in Derry.
Walsh says she and her family will wear matching shirts with her son’s face next to the words: “Never Forgotten.”
“You want to talk about them – they were part of your life," Walsh said. "Just because they died a certain way doesn’t make it ok for them to be forgotten."
The vigil will start off with a prayer and candle lighting followed by a slideshow of those lost in the area. The state's drug czar and the regional Drug Enforcement Agency officer are expected to be there.
Seabrook, Keene and Farmington will also hold vigils.