Visitors at the county’s Remembrance and Hope Memorial Vigil in Gloucester Township, site of a recent event to commemorate the lives of those who’ve veen lost to substance abuse.
The Camden County Board of Commissioners and the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force gathered with activists, health-care providers, law enforcement and area residents on Aug. 28 to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day at the county’s Remembrance and Hope Memorial Vigil in Gloucester Township.
International Overdose Awareness Day is a global campaign dedicated to preventing overdose, honoring those who’ve lost their lives to substance use disorder and offering support to loved ones left behind.
“Substance use disorder is a public health epidemic that has devastated our communities and claimed far too many lives,” said Commissioner Virginia Betteridge. “Camden County is committed to not only reducing fatal and non-fatal overdoses, but also to ending the stigma that surrounds individuals and families grappling with this disease.
“Together, we can make a difference, save lives, and honor the memories of those we have tragically lost to overdose.”
A national opioid and overdose crisis has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, but there are signs that awareness of the issue is having an effect. According to the CDC, there were an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2023, a 3% decrease from 2022. It marks the first time since 2018 that the number has declined.
Camden County is witnessing a similar trend. An annual report from the NJ ROIC-Drug Monitoring Initiative shows that from January to July 2024, the county recorded 109 suspected overdose deaths, a significant decrease of 39% from the 179 deaths reported during the same period last year. The rate of fatal overdoses has steadily declined since 2022, with 326 total drug-related deaths in 2023, down from 354 in 2022.
“In Camden County, we’ve reduced the number of fatal overdoses by nearly 40% over the past year,” noted Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay. “This tremendous progress is a testament to the incredible teamwork between the Camden County Commissioners, the Addiction Awareness Task Force, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Mental Health and Addiction, local law enforcement, and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Together, we are proving that everyone achieves more.”
In recent years, the county has implemented a series of programs funded by the state’s opioid litigation settlement. They include:
- The installation of Naloxone kits in locations across county parks, buildings and schools.
- The distribution of take-home Naloxone kits to substance use disorder patients treated in countywide emergency departments.
- Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education (NOPE) programs in high schools and middle schools.
- Increased public awareness through county advertising and public service announcements
- Project SAVE, a transformative program that addresses the opioid crisis by shifting the focus of police efforts beyond initial arrests to reduce substance use-related recidivism
The vigil featured a keynote address from former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams, who founded Rebound, a substance use program that helps individuals find recovery through outdoor activities and exercise.
“For us at Rebound, we want to remove the stigma associated with addiction,” Williams explained. “If you are sick, you get medicine. If you have cancer, you get chemo. And if you have a drug or alcohol addiction, you deserve proper treatment.”
Camden County continues to provide resources and support for those battling addiction. For free professional support, call 1-844-ReachNJ (732-2465). Residents suffering from substance use disorder can also contact the Office of Mental Health and Addiction at (856) 374-6361.
