Bergen County Rallies for 9th Annual Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day
10/11/2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 11, 2024
Contact: Lisa Batitto, news@drugfreenj.org
Bergen County Rallies for Ninth Annual
Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day
FAIR LAWN, NJ – Bergen County organizations and residents united earlier this month to educate their communities on the opioid epidemic as part as New Jersey’s annual Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day.
The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources partnered with local law enforcement to distribute information about the 24/7 Addiction Support Hotline and the Prevention Warm Line. Meanwhile, teams visited homes, vehicles and storefronts in Bogota, Elmwood Park, Englewood, Hackensack, and Teaneck as part of the outreach efforts. This marked the fifth year of collaboration between the Center's recovery support services and prevention teams and law enforcement on Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day.
Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day, organized by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey PDFNJ throughout the state, is held every year on October 6. The event focused on raising awareness of the risks associated with prescription opioids and providing strategies to prevent opioid misuse. Participants shared information with healthcare professionals, community leaders and families as part of the effort to reduce opioid-related harm across the state.
On social media, the Hackensack Police Department posted, "Our goal is to connect people with the support they need, raise awareness and ultimately save lives."
In 2023, there were 2,564 suspected overdose deaths in New Jersey, with the majority linked to opioids. The ongoing opioid crisis has been driven by substances such as heroin, prescription opioids and synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
"Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day is a vital moment for New Jersey communities to come together and confront the opioid crisis head-on," said Angelo M. Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ. "This day is an opportunity to raise awareness, educate our residents, and empower them to take action to protect their families and communities from the devastating effects of opioid use."
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, an initiative signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy.
Since its inception in 2016, Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day has been a platform for participants across New Jersey to share information about the risks of prescription opioids and their connection to heroin and fentanyl. Communities have engaged local businesses, law enforcement, and high school students in spreading awareness and sharing educational resources.
For resources and further information about Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day, visit knockoutday.drugfreenj.org
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Best known for its statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $200 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 230 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.