PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth goes purple in celebration of Wellness Week with Herren from March 7 to 12.

The nationwide event takes place every year during the first full week of March. Chris Herren of Portsmouth and the entire Herren organization come together, with schools and communities across the country, to celebrate and participate in healthy activities to help prevent the misuse of substances, empower those affected by the disease of addiction and encourage overall well-being.

The Portsmouth Prevention Coalition (PPC) is inviting all residents to decorate their mailboxes and/or front doors to show their support for the majority of students who make the choice to stay substance-free and to encourage overall well-being. 

You can get your bows at the Portsmouth Free Public Library, the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall, Portsmouth Middle School and Portsmouth High School, and at the following local businesses: Anna D’s Café, Clements’ Marketplace, Be.You.tiful Salon & Spa, Foodworks Restaurant, The Green Grocer, Karen’s Hair Design, The North End Pizzeria, Reidy’s Family Restaurant, Revive Hair Salon, Rocco’s Little Italy, Sea Meadow Stylists, Stef’s Salon & Spa, Shelley’s Esquire Barber Shop, Steve’s Famous Pizza, Sydney’s Salon & Spa, Thrive Coffee House, West Main Pizza, and The Portsmouth Shop.

Joan Warren, PPC director, will be handing out ribbons and other “purple swag” from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 6, at Clements’ Marketplace. 

“The whole thing is the kids taking a pledge to live substance-free and a healthy life,” Warren said.

The Sakonnet River Bridge, the police and fire stations, and the Portsmouth Free Public Library will be lit up in purple. Residents are invited to “share your purple” by posting on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter, and tagging @PortsPrevention and use #purpleandproud for a chance to win a prize from Herren Project.

Film on March 9

From 6:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, a 15-minute film called “Circles and Silence” will be screened at the library, followed by multiple speakers who will talk about their own experiences, as well as a question-and-answer session.

Nominated for five Emmy Awards, the film was produced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and is narrated by a diverse group of young adults who tell their own personal stories about opioids, addiction, treatment, and recovery.

In addition, students at all four schools have wellness activities planned throughout the week.

For more about Wellness Week with Herren, visit herrenproject.org. Keep up to date on events by visiting the PPC’s Facebook page by searching for “PortsPrevention.”