LARGO, Fla. — The 11th annual NOPE Candlelight Vigil took place at Largo Central Park Thursday night.
- Event honors lives lost to drug, alcohol addiction
- Sponsored by Pinellas Sheriff's Office, NOPE
- More Pinellas County stories
The event, sponsored by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and Pinellas County Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education (NOPE), is held in memory of people who've died from drug or alcohol addiction and in recognition of those still suffering from it.
This year's keynote speaker, Alton Voss, was a star high school football player in Pasco County.
"When I was a senior in high school, I was the 26th best quarterback in the country," he said.
He said he was red-shirted at USF his freshman year, but ended up throwing away his scholarship and eventually leading the life of a drug addict.
"My addiction stripped me of everything that mattered and almost took my life," he said.
After being arrested, he got treatment.
Eventually he played football at Grand Valley State University, graduated, and now works to help others get clean.
"My hope is one of hope. I want to let people know that addiction doesn't have to define you or your story."