National Trail of Truth to Honor Lives Lost to Substance Use and Call for Policy Change

WASHINGTON, D.C. (09/23/2025) (readMedia)-- On Saturday, September 27, 2025, the National Trail of Truth will return to the National Mall with a powerful display: more than 3,800 hand-painted tombstones forming a National Memorial Cemetery for Substance Use Related Deaths. This striking installation, stretching from 7th Street SW to 12th Street SW, is both beautiful and devastating-a vivid reminder of the lives lost to substance use across the country.

"Families from across the political divide are coming together to say enough is enough," said Alexis Pleus, Executive Director of Truth Pharm. "Changes to policies regarding access to treatment, reducing stigma, and distributing opioid settlement funds in the most impactful ways can help reduce these preventable deaths."

The Trail of Truth is a grassroots movement uniting organizations nationwide to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and advocate for policies that save lives.

Event Details

  • Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
  • Time: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Speakers 4 p.m.-6 p.m.)
  • Place: National Mall, 7th Street SW to 1tth Street SW, Washington, D.C. Main Stage and Media Check-in at the gravel pass aligned with 9th Street SW

The day begins with an Authors' Panel at the nearby Yotel featuring New York Times Best Selling Authors Judy Mandel and Bassey Ikpi and more recently published authors Pat Roos and Jason Mayo all who have written about substance use and mental health issues.

Memorial Displays

The National Memorial Cemetery will feature tombstones painted by artists, activists, and families from across the country to honor loved ones lost. Additional memorial installations include:

  • Today I Matter poster display (Connecticut)
  • Not One More crosses (Missouri)
  • Memorial quilts from Wisconsin and New Mexico
  • Can You See Me Now - Iowa State Banners

Attendees will be invited to walk through the cemetery, read the names, and reflect on the human toll of the epidemic.

Healing and Support

Throughout the day, organizations from around the country will provide resources and compassionate support, including the National Black Harm Reduction Association, Steps of Hope Iowa, and Moms United to End the War on Drugs. Activities include:

  • Grief circles and a wind phone
  • Memorial and healing art opportunities
  • Tombstone painting
  • Free naloxone (Narcan) training

An Authors' Tent will also be available for book sales and discussions with writers addressing the crisis.

Speakers and Performances (4–6 p.m.)

The program will feature voices of lived experience, advocates, and national leaders, including:

  • Angela Kennecke, veteran journalist, host of the Grieving Out Loud podcast, and founder of Emily's Hope, who lost her 21-year-old daughter to fentanyl poisoning
  • Tracie Gardner, Executive Director, National Black Harm Reduction Network
  • Alexis Pleus, Founder and Executive Director, Truth Pharm. Pleus lost her son to overdose.
  • Charles King, Executive Director, Housing Works. National known activist from the AIDS Movement.

Policy Goals:

  1. Immediate Access to Treatment
  2. Ending Medical Discrimination
  3. Broad free access to Naloxone
  4. Responsible and Transparent Spending of the Opioid Settlement Funds

Photo Credit Request: Please credit images: "National Trail of Truth to memorialize loved ones lost to substance use-related causes at the National Capitol in Washington, D.C."