Once again, New Jersey is coming together to tackle the serious problem of opioid use. The ninth annual Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day is set for Sunday, October 6, and it aims to teach people about the risks of prescription opioids, their link to heroin and fentanyl and effective strategies for preventing their misuse.

And this discussion is critical: there were 2,564 suspected overdose deaths in New Jersey in 2023 alone. Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day is a chance for residents to come together, learn, and take steps to protect their loved ones from the devastating impact of this epidemic.

The Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series is offering a webinar titled "Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day: Looking Back & Looking Ahead" at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 3. Christopher M. Jones, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, will be the featured speaker.

Then on October 6 and throughout the month, communities across the state are organizing various activities to support this initiative, from educational events to local outreach efforts. You can get involved in this important mission by using the digital resources available in the toolkit at KnockOutDay.DrugFreeNJ.org. Handouts and other materials are also available by request.

Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day is held in partnership with the Governor's Council on Substance Use Disorder; the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services; and the Community Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Morris. The New Jersey Senate and General Assembly unanimously passed legislation designating October 6 as Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day in the state, an initiative signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy.

For more details and to get involved, visit knockoutday.drugfreenj.org