Overdose Deaths Are Remembered In Howell Flag Display

HOWELL, NJ —To observe International Overdose Awareness Day, Aug. 31, the Howell Alliance will join with the Prevention Coalition of Monmouth County in a purple flags memorial.

Forty-seven purple flags will be displayed at each participating town’s municipal building, with each flag representing a life lost to an overdose between Jan. 1 to April 30 of this year in the county, said the Howell Alliance coordinator Christa Riddle.

The Howell Police Cadets assist the Howell Alliance each year with assembling the town hall display. Cadets Kelsey, Vivianna and Jabri, identified by first names only, helped this year, said Riddle in a news release.

She said the Howell Alliance will also present a proclamation to the Howell Mayor and Council to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day and the 26 non-fatal and three fatal overdoses that occurred in Howell Township between Jan. 1 and June 30 of this year.

International Overdose Awareness Day is observed Aug. 31 each year by countries around the world as the largest annual awareness campaign, Riddle said.

The commemoration aims to end overdose deaths, remember without stigma those who have died from overdoses, acknowledge the grief of surviving family and friends, and inspire action and discussion about evidence-based overdose prevention strategies and drug policies, the news release said.

An overdose is having more of a drug or combination of drugs than your body can handle, according to information in the news release.

There are a number of signs and symptoms that show someone has overdosed; they differ with the type of drug used:

• Opioids and depressants (including fentanyl, heroin and prescription pain medications, as well as barbiturates and benzodiazepines) slow the vital activities of the body, including breathing and the heart rate. Opioids, especially fentanyl laced into other street drugs, account for most overdose deaths.
• Stimulants (including methamphetamine, amphetamines and cocaine) increase the risk of a heart attack, stroke, seizure and drug-induced psychosis.

To further commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day, the Howell Alliance will host a naloxone training by JSAS, an addiction services agency, on Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Howell Township Municipal Building, according to the news release.

Each participant will leave with a free naloxone kit and treatment voucher. The training is on a first-come, first-served basis with no advanced registration needed. All participants will receive education on how to administer naloxone to reverse a heroin/opioid overdose. Narcan is one brand of naloxone.

Through the Project Medicine Drop and participation in the spring and fall DEA Prescription Drug TakeBack Day, the Howell Alliance and Howell Police have partnered with community members to collect 1,684 pounds of unwanted medications. Unwanted medications can lead to substance misuse and addiction if they are left easily accessible; the majority of misused prescription drugs are obtained from family, friends and the home medicine cabinet, the Alliance news release said.

The Howell Alliance collaborates across the community to prevent substance abuse, underage drinking and marijuana use, alcoholism, tobacco/nicotine use, vaping, and other at-risk behaviors. It also promotes physical, mental, emotional and social well-being and the reduction of substance use and mental health disorder stigmas through providing awareness, resources and education across the community.

For additional details on the naloxone training, Howell’s observance of International Overdose Awareness Day, or substance use/mental health information, please contact Howell Alliance Coordinator Christa Riddle at 732-938-4500 x4012 or criddle@twp.howell.nj.us.

For information on substance use prevention, substance use and mental health support resources, and proper disposal of unwanted medications, visit the Howell Alliance website.