Blake Meier died of an  overdose in a West Palm Beach motel room in 2016, but his friends and family are determined to help others beat their addictions.

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At 9 a.m. Saturday, the Miles4Meier 2nd Annual 5K run will be held at Kennesaw Mountain High School, 1898 Kennesaw Due West Rd. The event was started to honor and celebrate Meier's life and to raise awareness about the nation's growing opioid epidemic .

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Proceeds will be donated in Meier’s name to charities that focus on fighting opioid addiction. Last year, the beneficiary was the Extension, a residential treatment facility for men and women who are homeless as a result of their addiction to drugs or alcohol.

On site registration begins at 8 a.m. Current registration is $15.

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Fireworks will be set off at dusk at Alpharetta’s Independence Day event at Wills Park. The photo shows a view of a previous year’s fireworks from the nearby Walk of Memories at American Legion Post 201. (Courtesy of Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau/Jack Tuszynski)

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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