Morris County Recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day

PARSIPPANY, NJ – Community members gathered Monday to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day and work to reduce the stigma of drug addiction and drug-related deaths.

Morris County state and federal officials were joined by families who had lost loved ones to overdoses. The day was marked with a freshly planted weeping cherry tree, dubbed an "Angel Tree Memorial," dedicated outside the Morris County Addiction Center.

"Being present for the dedication of the first Angel Tree Memorial in Morris County gives this grieving mother hope," said Rebecca Finnerty of Montville, who spoke at the ceremony about losing her son to a heroin overdose in 2016.

Dozens of parents shared stories of overdoses, including one woman who lost both a son and a daughter.

"Morris County is at the forefront of creating programs and partnerships that understand the complexities of drug addiction and how the disease ravages a person's health, relationships and self-preservation instincts," said Sheriff James Gannon.

In Morris County, NJ Cares county 89 drug-related deaths in 2018 and 86 in 2019. So far this year, 54 deaths have been registered in the county.