On Monday, August 31, the Board of Commissioners gathered with the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force, activists, healthcare providers, law enforcement and residents to honor and observe International Overdose Awareness Day at the county’s Remembrance and Hope Memorial at Timber Creek Park.
“Substance use disorder affects people from all walks of life; it does not discriminate, and the impact of a fatal overdose is unimaginably devastating,” said Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. “We hold this event each year to show solidarity with families struggling with the loss of a loved one as well as to raise awareness about substance use disorder, overdose, and ultimately to end the stigma surrounding substance use disorder and build a community where people can seek help without fear, shame, or isolation.”
International Overdose Awareness Day is recognized annually on August 31, and is aimed at ending overdose, remembering those who have died without stigma or judgement and acknowledging the pain of the loved ones left behind.
This year’s keynote speaker is Therese Benyola, the Vice President of Behavioral Health at the Center for Family Services. After losing her brother to addiction, Theresa has turned her pain into purpose, using her experiences to help support individuals and families as they navigate loss, find connection, and begin to heal.
The Camden County Commissioners have been at the forefront of fighting the national opioid epidemic for more than a decade by developing treatment, education, and public policy initiatives to address substance use disorder.
Recent initiatives include:
- Installing Naloxone Boxes in every school, park and county-owned building to expand access to lifesaving naloxone.
- Expanding treatment at the Camden County Correctional Facility through a nationally recognized Medication for Opioid Use Disorder program shown to reduce post-release overdoses.
- Launching a mobile buprenorphine pilot program using Opioid Litigation Settlement funds to bring treatment directly to residents.
- Launching a fentanyl awareness campaign to educate the community about the drug’s deadly effects.
- Providing free resources and support, including naloxone training, fentanyl test strips, Naloxone Boxes for social service organizations and mental health support for families impacted by substance use disorder.
Anyone seeking addiction assistance should call 1-844-ReachNJ (732-2465), which provides free professional support for those facing addiction and their loved ones. If you are a Camden County resident suffering from substance use disorder, please call the Office of Mental Health and Addiction at (856) 374-6361.