BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- On this Overdose Remembrance Day, community members are gathering here at Jastro Park to remember those members of the community lost to substance abuse.

"What we're doing is providing a visual reminder to the community of the lives that are not with us in 2025 that were lost in 2024 to preventable overdose deaths. We lost 189 community members, and today we want to stand together, honor them, and say that we want to end this problem in our community and prevent another family from losing a loved one," said Ashleigh Herrera, a clinical social worker who helped to organize the event.

As the day begins, walkers stroll though the park --- and pass dozens of purple flags in the grass.

"Each of the 189 flags planted here represents a life that is no longer with

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