According to Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan, Massachusetts loses six people a day to the opioid epidemic. That number alone is staggering, but when you multiply that figure, it's hard to imagine a family in the state who hasn't been impacted by addiction and overdoses.
The 2069 opioid project, which consists of small lawn signs reading "#2069," points to the total number of opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts in 2016. It was launched by Rev. Ron Tibbets of Trinity Episcopal Church in Wrentham.
"The project began as a small outreach program to raise awareness in our community, and we had no idea it would grow to this magnitude across state," he said.
Tibbets says there are now 1,100 signs posted statewide that were distributed by 15 partners, and a bumper sticker campaign has also begun. Click below to read the full story.