The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office hosts a candlelight vigil in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Month Thursday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m. in West Hudson Park. The event is being organized in conjunction with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office Operation Helping Hand to end the stigma associated with overdose deaths, provide addiction and recovery resources to the community and increase awareness of the impacts of the opioid epidemic.
The event will take place in the area of Schuyler Avenue and Woodlawn Drive – with a speaking program by representatives of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, RWJ Barnabas Health Peer Recovery, North Jersey Health and Wellness, victim survivors and others. The program will end with a candlelight vigil, moment of silence and short memorial walk.
For over two decades, International Overdose Awareness Day has been observed Aug. 31. This year’s theme is “Recognizing Those Who Go Unseen.”
“Substance abuse disorders do not discriminate and devastate not only those struggling with addiction, but also their families and loved ones,” Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. “Our greatest defense against the opioid epidemic is through education, prevention, and access to lifesaving resources. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, in coordination with Operation Helping Hand, is proud to sponsor this program in an effort to make strides in ending the stigma and breaking the cycle of addiction.”
Following the vigil, attendees are encouraged to speak with the community groups that will have resource material available including representatives from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office/Operation Helping Hand, Hudson Regional Health Commission, New Jersey Department of Health, Hudson County Department of Housing and Community Integration, New Pathway, Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Kearny Department of Public Health, RWJBH Institute for Prevention and Recovery, Endeavor House, Division of Welfare Services, C-Line, Kearny Police Department, Kearny Fire Department, Harrison Police Department and Kearny Elks 1050.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.