Burlington County officials will join with local advocates, residents, providers and families Thursday evening for a vigil memorializing residents who have died as a result of substance use disorder.
The Night of Tribute & Support is held annually on International Overdose Awareness Day to help eliminate stigma surrounding substance use disorder, remember those who lost their lives to the disease, and to provide support to their loved ones.
The vigil and remembrance ceremony will be held this Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Burlington County Amphitheater in Westampton at 7 p.m. The event is organized by the Burlington County Coalition for Health Communities, Burlington County Department of Human Services, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the support group, Shouting for Shelby.
Former Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina will serve as Master of Ceremonies at the event. Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw and Alisa Baron of Britney’s Justice 4 Overdose Awareness, are among the scheduled speakers. The vigil will also feature musical performances, tributes and the reading of the names of loved ones lost due to substance use disorder.
The Burlington County Hope One Mobile Outreach Unit will be present at the amphitheater, along with the new Hope One for Youth van.
Both Hope One and Hope One for Youth are part of the county’s comprehensive response to the opioid crisis.