WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Bladen, Brunswick and New Hanover counties hosted Overdose Awareness Events this past week.
Gov. Roy Cooper declared Saturday, Aug. 31, Overdose Awareness Day.
“It’s a day to remember those lost to overdose, honor their families, and renew our commitment to ending the crisis”, says Cooper.
That’s why leaders are making an effort to help everyone involved.
“We want to make sure people are connected so we can help them stay alive. We want to make sure overdose is something nobody has to worry about. We want everybody to know that it’s preventable,” says Jason Black, Coastal Horizons program director. “And the goal with this event and our services is to be seen as much as possible in the community.”
The event in New Hanover County was hosted by the City of Wilmington in partnership with Coastal Horizons. It took place at Hope Recovery Church.
Thirty-six different treatment providers participated in the event, including churches, nonprofits and the county sheriff’s office.
Coastal Horizon’s quick response team has met with over 350 overdose survivors this year, connecting 86 percent of them to some form of treatment.
Black says the organization wants people to know support and recovery are available.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re going from homeless camps to beach houses, people are dying. And what we’ve realized as a community – providers, religious organizations, nonprofits – we realized that awareness is what keeps people alive,” says Black.
Overdose deaths are a problem all across the nation. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has released an assessment of which drugs are affecting communities most this year. Synthetic, chemical-based drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine are at the top of the list.
The D.E.A. says these drugs have resulted in the most dangerous and deadly drug crisis the United States has ever faced. Officials say their top priority now is reducing the supply of these drugs.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can click on this link or call the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline.
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