Candlelight Vigil Held in Memory of Drug Abuse Victims

Did you take photos at the vigil? Upload them to this gallery. Have personal stories you would like to share? Post a comment below.

The Fourth Annual Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education candlelight vigil was held Thursday night. Hundreds of people gathered in Largo Central Park. This year's service focused on those lost to prescription drug abuse, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

About a dozen people spoke including Pinellas County School Board chairwoman Robin Wikle. She spoke from a parent's perspective of how she avoided admitting one of her children had a problem with prescription drugs. She said her denial ended when her son was sentenced to three years in prison on prescription fraud charges, the Times reports.

Other speakers shared about loved ones lost to prescription drug abuse and the importance of educating children about prescription medications,  the Times reports.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri spoke about the challenges his agency faces with prescription drugs. He mentioned efforts such as Operation Medicine Cabinet where people can turn in unwanted prescription medicine and rehabilitation efforts at the Pinellas County Jail, the Times reports.

Pinellas County officials including Gualtieri share more on prescription drug abuse and what the county is doing in a four-part television show.