Essex County Opioid Walk To Bring Awareness To Overdose Deaths

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Essex County Opioid Abuse Prevention Task Force will hold its 1st “Awareness Walk” to shine the light on overdose deaths on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Held in conjunction with New Directions Behavioral Health Center, the 10-mile walk will take place on Bloomfield Avenue, which stretches into several Essex County towns.

Task Force Coordinator Robin Lavorato provided Patch with the following details about the event:

“As many of you know we have a national opioid epidemic in America. Over 65.000 lives were lost in 2016, and over 72,000 in 2017. In New Jersey, the county with the most overdose deaths is Essex County.

“Join us on Sunday, November 11 to walk through Essex County on Bloomfield Avenue. Walk 10 miles, from Newark to West Caldwell, or just walk 1 mile, from Verona to Caldwell. RSVP to Robin at rlhealthguide@gmail.com, or (862) 485-8811.

“The start venue in Verona and the stop venue in Caldwell will soon be determined. Each venue will host a speaker, refreshments, music, crafts, professionals in the field of prevention, intervention, addiction, treatment and recovery will be on hand to answer questions, and informational material will be disseminated.

“You are welcome to host a table at our venues. Besides Caldwell and Verona, we will have start/stop venues in Newark, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Montclair and West Caldwell. Have a bake sale to support your sports team, or set up an informational table for your business. Call Robin at (862) 485-8811.

“We will hold a luncheon that day, Sunday November 11 at 1:30 pm in West Caldwell. Join us for lunch, individuals in recovery sharing their story of hope, law enforcement discussing positive initiatives to address the opioid epidemic in Essex County, treatment providers offering solutions and more. RSVP to rlhealthguide@gmail.com.

“We are in need of people to work the sign in tables at each of the 7 venues. We need donations of water and snacks for each venue. We need monetary donations to support the luncheon, posters, banners and t-shirts. Call (862) 485-8811.”

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