LIVINGSTON, NJ — To help raise awareness of the dangers of opioids and addiction in partnership with the Livingston Health Department and Livingston Municipal Alliance Committee (LMAC), the Livingston Police Department participated in the statewide “Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day” on Friday.

The New Jersey Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, and the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services invited municipalities across the state to participate in this statewide initiative by speaking with members of their community about the rising rates of opioid abuse.

“All are encouraged to do whatever they can to share information, have discussions, and raise awareness of the potential for dependency on prescription pain medications, which is linked to increasing rates of heroin abuse in the state,” said Officer Joy Klapal of Livingston’s Community Policing Unit.

One way to increase awareness is by volunteering or by sharing information available on drugfreenj.org/knockoutvolunteers.

Throughout the day, volunteers and members the police and health departments and LMAC displayed #KnockOutOpioidAbuse door hangers on vehicles in the parking lot of the Livingston Senior and Community Center. Police also placed #KnockOutOpioidAbuse door hangers on vehicles in the Livingston High School parking lots and around the Oval.

During school hours, student volunteers also placed door hangers on all classroom doors in the building.

Opioid abuse is on the rise among both adults and students in New Jersey, according to the Livingston Police Department. The three local entities hope to raise awareness while also encouraging discussion in Livingston about the potential for dependency and its link to rising rates of heroin abuse.