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Overdose Victims Remembered At Awareness Rally In Market Square

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A rally in Pittsburgh's Market Square Monday was aimed at raising awareness about drug overdoses, but it also served as a way to memorialize those who died as a result of overdoses.

Aug. 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day.

Mayor Bill Peduto was one of the guest speakers at the rally.

He says he wants city government to take a closer look at prevention initiatives.

He said the event was also about remembering the victims.

"Loved ones who got into a situation where the drug took over their life and they don't have any support network to help them," said the mayor. "So many times, the only choice is death or jail, and that same money should be spent on ways to help the addict solve the problem."

Lou Rainaldi's goddaughter died of an overdose on June 4.

"I carry her around with me right here all the time and it's just something that, it's a nightmare. We're moving on to three months now without her and it's just a horrible nightmare," Rainaldi said.

Rainaldi said the nightmare and heartache could have been prevented.

He said there needs to be more support for addicts and for people like his goddaughter, who battled a mental illness.

"We need to do something, we need to raise awareness, we need to stop the stigma so people are not afraid to ask for help," he said.

Rainaldi and other people here at the rally say they won't stop working to raise awareness anytime soon.

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