New specialty license plates in Massachusetts aim to raise awareness about the opioid crisis and support affected families
Marlborough: The opioid crisis has hit Massachusetts hard, affecting countless lives. Now, there’s a new way to spread awareness. Specialty license plates promoting “Overdose Awareness” are on the way, thanks to Cheryl Juaire and her nonprofit, Team Sharing.
Cheryl has been working on this for nearly four years. She got enough people interested in these plates to move the project forward. It’s a big deal because it’s not just about the plates; it’s about starting conversations and helping those who are grieving.
Cheryl lost two sons to overdoses, and this mission is deeply personal for her. She started the campaign in February 2021, hoping to gather enough applications for the plates. It was tough, and she faced many challenges along the way.
At first, they didn’t get enough signatures, and her son Sean passed away before they could reach their goal. But Cheryl didn’t give up. She and her team hit the ground running, attending events and asking people to sign up for the plates.
After years of hard work, they finally reached the 750 application mark in October 2024. People who signed up were overjoyed to hear the plates are finally happening. The RMV estimates it will take about 10 to 16 weeks to get the plates made.
These plates also help fundraise for nonprofits, with a portion of the fee going to support their work. Since 2014, over 20,000 people in Massachusetts have died from opioid-related overdoses, and the numbers are still alarming.
Cheryl hopes these plates will help reduce the stigma around addiction and encourage conversations. She’s not stopping here, either. She wants to push for more awareness, including having flags lowered on International Overdose Awareness Day.
Cheryl is determined to keep fighting for change, including advocating for safe injection sites. She believes in the importance of these initiatives and is ready to continue her work.
