Overdose Awareness Day Event In Toms River Bringing Resources, Help To Community

TOMS RIVER, NJ — For the last 2-1/2 years, overdoses from illicit drugs have been overshadowed by the stresses of the coronavirus pandemic.

While some people struggled with social distancing to avoid being exposed to COVID-19, others were struggling with the isolation that resulted. For those battling addiction, the struggle was magnified, and the number of deaths from overdoses rose, nationally and locally as well: Ocean County saw an increase of nearly 20 overdose deaths in 2020, from 191 in 2019 to 219 in 2020, with fentanyl and heroin topping the list.

On Wednesday, those who died will be honored as part of Overdose Awareness Day. And efforts to help reduce the numbers of those who succumb to addiction will be the focus at an outreach event sponsored by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office in partnership with Bright Harbor Healthcare.

The Toms River event will be held from 9 a.m. until noon in front of the Ocean County Library on Washington Street.

The event will include information about resources for those fighting addiction provided through Operation Helping Hand. It will include information to connect people to substance abuse treatment and care.