The Trail of Truth is an artistic event with a powerful purpose to memorialize our loved ones lost to substance use related causes while using the magnitude of our collective loss to create change. The event includes an arts installation of the National Memorial Cemetery, healing opportunities, speakers, singers, a live performance art piece including the family members, and a march to demand immediate access to treatment and the end of discrimination in medical care.
Photos from the 2022 National Trail of Truth
Download the 2023 Digital Program!
EVENT SCHEDULE
11AM MEMORIAL CEMETERY OPENS
A community arts project of a National Memorial Cemetery filled with tombstones beautifully hand painted by artists, activists, and directly impacted community members for each loved one lost to substance use related causes submitted directly by their families from across the country. Take a moment to walk through the cemetery, read the names, and understand the impact of the crisis.
Over 2100 loved ones are memorialized in this year’s event.
11AM-3:00PM: HEALING OPPORTUNITIES
Organizations from around the country will be tabling, as well as hosting their own group grief displays. Free Narcan training will be available throughout the event, Learn how to save a life!
3:30PM SPEAKERS AND PERFORMERS
Hear from experienced subject matter experts and people with lived experience on the past, present, and future of the epidemic of substance use related deaths.
5:30PM MARCH TO HHS and DOL
Attendees will march tombstones from the memorial cemetery to the Health and Human Services (HHS) and to Department of Labor (DOL) buildings to discuss our calls for action to eliminate barriers to immediate access to treatment and the end of discrmination in medical care.
