We are now accepting memorial submissions for both the original Trail of Truth in the Southern Tier of New York, as well as the National Trail of Truth. To have your loved one included in this year’s memorial cemetery, please visit https://www.trailoftruth.org/submit and complete the submission form. If you have submitted in the past, you do NOT need to resubmit your loved one. We ask that submissions be made only by immediate family members, and if at all possible, to include a photograph with your submission.
The Trail of Truth that is held in Binghamton, NY, each year includes loved ones from our local region only, and the National Trail of Truth, held in Washington, D.C., will include all loved ones submitted from across the United States.
In 2022, we memorialized over 1200 individuals at our National Trail, and reached upwards of 15,000 members of the public between event attendance, passersby, and social media. You can see a photo album from last year’s event here, and you can find photos of your loved ones’ memorial tombstones here. In the coming year, we expect to expand this reach and continue to elevate discussions surrounding substance use and reduce substance use related fatalities.
By submitting your loved one to be memorialized, you can help us draw government attention to Substance Use Related Deaths. The National Trail of Truth makes 5 policy asks for the Biden administration:
- To create a standard of care for Opioid Use Disorder that applies to all Federal Departments, because treatment saves lives.
- Enforce Federal parity law to expand substance use and mental health treatment, because mental health is health.
- Enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure protections for people with Substance Use Disorder, to protect vulnerable lives.
- Support current law to increase access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment including Emergency Departments. Open all doors.
- Support legislation to increase access to Substance Use Disorder treatment, because access saves lives.
If you are interested in becoming a partner for the 2023 National Trail of Truth, visit https://www.trailoftruth.org/trailblazer. As individuals we are strong, but together we are a fearless movement.