Many hundreds of thousands of people around the world lose their lives to overdose each year. Nearly 105,000 Americans lost their lives to overdose in 2023. They were our children, parents, siblings, partners, neighbors, colleagues, and friends.
This year, the 7th Annual Overdose Awareness Walk will be held on Friday, August 29, and will kick off the Adams County Coalition for Overdose Awareness & Recovery (COAR) September Recovery Month Campaign.
There is strong evidence to support practical solutions, such as providing free naloxone and fentanyl testing kits and improving access to opioid substitution treatment. All of these have been shown to reduce deaths and other harms caused by overdose.
Local communities, including those in Adams County and around the world, are coming together to remember those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to drug overdose. Observed in August every year, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) seeks to create a better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use.
The walk will begin at 6 p.m. at the Adams County Courthouse on Baltimore Street. The event will end at the Fireman’s Pavilion at the Gettysburg REC Park at 545 Long Lane in Gettysburg. At the park, we will hear from local individuals and community representatives. Free naloxone will also be available, as well as access to community resources.
For more information on this event or the Adams County Coalition for Overdose Awareness & Recovery (COAR), please call Aaron Zipp at 717-752-2695. Visit their website at www.overdosefreeadams.org. If you are interested in having a memorial picture of your loved one on display during the event, please contact Aaron at the above information. If you are hosting any substance-free recovery-friendly events in September, COAR would love to add your event to our Recovery Month Calendar. COAR is homed at the Center for Youth and Community Development offices located at 233 W High Street in Gettysburg.