Remembering Lives, Reducing Stigma: Union County Marks Overdose Awareness Day

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Local nonprofit organizations, treatment centers and law enforcement officials joined to distribute life-saving resources on Wednesday for International Overdose Awareness Day.

Sixty-one people died from drug overdoses in Union County during the first six months of this year, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, which said there were 158 overdose deaths reported here in 2021 and 132 such deaths in 2020. The fatalities underscore the importance of the work on display during Overdose Awareness Day.

Roselle-based drug prevention and addiction services nonprofit Prevention Links gave out packs of nalaxone, also known as Narcan, a nasal spray which can reverse opioid overdoses, as well as information on recovery programs and safely disposing of prescription drugs, in seven locations throughout the county.