On August 31, millions of people across the world will remember those who lost their lives to drug overdoses on International Overdose Awareness Day. The many vigils, community programs, and remembrance walks aim to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding drug-related deaths.
Originated in 2001, a local event to hand out ribbons in Australia quickly grew throughout the state and further. Since that time, the official International Overdose Awareness Day website explains, many organizations in the US, UK and Australia have held events to raise awareness and commemorate those who have been lost to drug overdose.
The day spreads the message that overdoses are preventable and acknowledges the grief felt by friends and family remembering those who have died due to drug overdose. This message is not just felt on a global level, but resonates loudly throughout local communities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Many local events are scheduled throughout the day on Wednesday to ignite conversations, pose tribute, and provide resources to those who may be battling, or know someone who is battling addiction. Below is a full list of official registered events across our area.
Along with events throughout the area, NBC10 is re-broadcasting Generation Addicted on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The program follows the five months the NBC10 Digital Team spent investigating the issue of opioid addiction in the Philadelphia region and beyond. Over 80 interviews were conducted to try and uncover the truths around a generation of addicted people and the systems that are ill-equipped to save them.
Below is a full list of official, registered events in our area:
Pennsylvania:
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Bethlehem, PA – Fed Up Lehigh Valley: Payrow Plaza, Bethlehem, PA 18018 – 8/31/16 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Wilkes-Barre, PA – AARMED Addiction and Recovery Awareness Walk: Kirby Park Pavilion 3, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 – 9/3/16 10:00 a.m.
Landenberg, PA – Candlelight Vigil: New Garden Township Building, 299 Starr Road, Landenberg, PA 19350 – 8/31/16 7:00 p.m.
Pottsville, PA – Vinny’s Angels: First United Methodist Church, 330 W Market St, Pottsville, PA – 8/31/16 6:00 p.m.
Kennett Square, PA – Kacie’s Cause: First Baptist Church, W State St, Kennett Square, PA 19348 – 8/31/16 7:30 p.m.
West Grove, PA – International Overdose Awareness Day: Jennersville YMCA, 880 West Baltimore Pike, West Grove, PA – 8/31/16 8:00 p.m.
Bristol, PA – Overdose Awareness Day: The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania in coordination with PRO-ACT The Southern Bucks Recovery Community Center – 1286 Veterans Highway, Suite D-6A, Bristol, PA 19007 – 8/31/16 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Doylestown, PA – Light Up the Night Doylestown: Peace Valley Park, Pavilion 3, Doylestown PA 18901 – 8/31/2016 6:00 p.m.
Doylestown, PA – Movie Screening: Generation Found: Barn Plaza Stadium 14, 1745 Easton Road, Doylestown, PA – 8/31/16 7:30 p.m.
New Jersey:
Sewell, NJ – Candlelight Memorial Vigil: James G Atkinson Millennium Plaza, 138 Bethel Mill Rd, Sewell, NJ 08080 – 8/31/16 7:30 p.m.
Forked River, NJ – FED UP! LOCAL! : Lacey Municipal Building, 818 W Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ – 8/31/16 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Flemington, NJ – Community Conversation: Be a Part of Keeping Our Community Safe: Historic Hunterdon County Court House, Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822 – 8/31/16 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Old Bridge, NJ – Old Bridge Overdose Awareness Day: Old Bridge Municipal Complex, 1 Old Bridge Plaza, Old Bridge N& 00857 – 8/31/16 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Morristown, NJ – FedUp! Overdose Awareness Day: On the Green in Morristown, NJ – 8/31/16 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Ventnor, NJ – Speakers for Change Overdose Awareness, Prevention and Remembrance Event: On the beach between Suffolk and Somerset Avenues (Rain or Shine) – 8/31/16 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Clinton, NJ – Overdose Awareness Day Candlelight Vigil: On the terrace, next to the museum in Clinton, NJ, 7 Lower Center Street, Clinton, NJ 08809 – 8/31/16 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Delaware:
Newark, DE – Overdose Candlelight Vigil: Intersection of Main Street and Rt 896 – 8/31/16 8:00-10:00 p.m.
New Castle, DE – 2016 IOAD Candlelight Vigil: Intersection of Route 896 – 8/31/16 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Kent County, DE - 2016 IOAD Candlelight Vigil: Intersection of Park Drive and Loockerman St – 8/31/16 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Sussex County, DE - 2016 IOAD Candlelight Vigil: On the Circle, Georgetown DE – 8/31/16 8:00-10:00 p.m.
