A service to remember people who have died following substance misuse will be held in Cornwall for the first time.

The event in Truro Cathedral at 5pm on Saturday,  September 20, is intended both as a memorial service and to provide support and encouragement to people struggling with addiction.

Addaction and other agencies will be on hand to give help and advice to anyone going through similar experiences, and also to support family and friends whose loved ones lost their battle with addiction.

Cornwall is thought to be only the third area to hold such an event, alongside Bristol, and Glasgow which has staged a similar tribute for 21 years.

Plymouth Drug and Alcohol services will also hold a similar event on the same day at the Minster Church of St Andrew, also at 5pm.

Sid Willett, drug related death prevention co-ordinator, said: ‘"n average, there are around 20 drug-related deaths per year in Cornwall, and more if alcohol is considered. Each of these represents a premature death, which is by and large preventable.

"We are reaching out to people in Cornwall and beyond who may have experienced a family member, loved one or friend die as a result of substance misuse. Everyone is invited to this service, which will poignantly highlight these losses with contributions from those touched by this issue.

"With this service of remembrance, we want to show that people who have died as a result of substance misuse issues are not forgotten and that their passing leaves a legacy of change for others encountering similar issues.

"The families need to know that they have support and can grieve as any other. These deaths are not acceptable in this day and age and another positive aspect of this service is that highlighting these issues can only lead to greater dialogue and focus on preventing them in the first place.’ Canon Lynda Barley, Canon Pastor at Truro Cathedral, will be leading the service. She added: ‘We are honoured to be hosting the first Acorn service at the Cathedral and pray that it will generate increasing awareness of those affected by substance misuse. This growing problem is a blight on our communities across Cornwall and we are pleased to support the families, friends and agencies working with both young and older people struggling in this way.

‘It is important that we have the opportunity to celebrate the lives of those lost and to affirm our hope in God's undying love for them. From the small beginning of this Acorn Service we pray that it will prompt us all to bring our energies to address this often unseen issue."

The service will be attended by vice-chairman of Cornwall Council, Ann Kerridge. It will include music from Luke Deakin, a singer/songwriter, and two personal reflections: all three have experience of losing someone through substance misuse or a personal recovery journey. The Easter Candle will be lit as part of the service and the congregation will be invited to light candles too for their loved ones.

David James is reading a personal reflection about his brother Chris.

He explained: "When someone you love dies in the circumstances Chris died in, you are overwhelmed with memories, guilt, self-questioning and regrets. The things you did and experienced together flood back as do the key moments in your shared lives.

"Even more important than the memories of what you both did, is the common humanity you shared. With Chris, those moments where we understood each other’s sensitivity and awkwardness, felt each other’s vulnerability, shared humour simply through a glance or an expression and communicated love and genuine concern without fuss or even words are the moments I miss and long for."

To support anyone attending who is going through similar experiences or knows people who are, Addaction and other agencies will have volunteer counsellors and drug treatment workers on hand to talk to.

Michelle Mcleavy from Addaction in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "We welcomed the opportunity to be a part of this important event as it allows the celebration of the lives of individuals who were loved and valued by their families and friends, whilst also providing a safe place for loved ones to share the sense of loss their passing leaves behind.

"We hope that the families and friends, staff and service users and members of the public who attend will be able to gain hope and strength from each other and draw inspiration from the Acorn Service to support them for the future."