The White House has proclaimed Sept. 18 through Sept. 24 Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week. The Camden County Freeholder Board created an Addiction Awareness Task Force (CCAATF) in 2014 to assist them in promoting awareness, education and resources in Camden County.
“The Freeholder Board would like to use the Obama administration’s observance of Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week to announce several important upcoming events in Camden County,” said Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. “The Task Force uses numerous outreach opportunities throughout the year to increase awareness of prescription opiate and heroin abuse and addiction, and they assist in the creation of programs to help educate residents of the resources available to prevent and treat addiction.”
Recovery Softball Tournament — Sept. 30
The CCAATF will host its inaugural Recovery Softball Tournament to raise awareness for those battling opioid addiction.
“Join us for the first of what we hope to become an annual event to raise awareness for those who are battling addiction by bringing our community together on the ballfield,” Cappelli said. “We know that no one is immune to the addiction of opiates and we must focus on prevention and treatment.”
The tournament will be held at Campbell’s Field, 401 N Delaware Ave. on the Camden Waterfront, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Teams will include those in recovery, local law enforcement, community leaders and the CCAATF.
Those interested in playing or volunteering should email sarah.schulz@camdencounty.com
Candlelight Vigil in remembrance of overdose victims — Oct. 8
The Freeholder Board, and the CCAATF will host a candlelight vigil in remembrance of those who lost their lives to drug overdoses.
“Far too many families in Camden County have lost loved ones to heroin and other drugs that are fueling our region’s current addiction crisis,” Cappelli said. “We must all address the rising use of heroin and other drugs that are ripping apart our families and killing our residents.”
The candlelight vigil will be held on Oct. 8 at 6 pm. in Timber Creek Park located on Chews Landing Road at Taylor Avenue in Gloucester Township. Timber Creek Park is part of the Camden County Park System.
To submit a name for remembrance, please visit www.camdencounty.com/vigil
Since its inception the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force has distributed over 30,000 pieces of educational literature throughout the county, held community awareness and educational events with over 10,000 attendees, and worked with local law enforcement to expand access to medication drop boxes. In addition, the task force’s Narcan/naloxone training program has equipped over 725 residents with overdose prevention kits, and provided every law enforcement agency in Camden County with Narcan, resulting in over 700 Narcan saves countywide.
“The task force is made up of students, parents, teachers, civic organizations, medical professionals, public health providers, law enforcement and religious leaders — just to name a few” Cappelli said. “We did not limit who comprises the task force since this is an issue that touches every area of our community.”
For more information, visit www.addictions.camdencounty.com
