capemaycountyherald.com: ‘Knock Out Opioid Abuse’ Day To Be Held Oct. 6
10/1/2017
WILDWOOD -- On Fri., Oct. 6, The Cape May County Healthy Community Coalition, a community initiative of Cape Assist, will join thousands of prevention and treatment professionals, students and concerned residents to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic impacting our state on the second annual Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day.
The initiative is designed to bring attention to the opioid crisis facing the state and the steps residents can take to stem the epidemic. The New Jersey Senate and General Assembly responded following the first event in 2016 by unanimously approving joint legislation designating October 6 in perpetuity as Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day in New Jersey.
Cape May County has the highest rate of residents in treatment per 100,000 residents in the state of NJ. This equals to 2 percent of Cape May County’s population seeking treatment for drugs and alcohol, according to NJ Substance Abuse Overview Report 2017. “Addiction does not start with heroin but it’s usually where it ends. Many start experimenting with alcohol and marijuana as youth, and then progress to prescription painkillers such as Oxycotin, Vicodin and Percocet. Often their first use of prescription painkillers comes from a family member’s medicine cabinet.” Said Katie Faldetta, Executive Director of Cape Assist, “Once the prescriptions run out, they can’t afford to buy more, so they move on to heroin because it’s easier to get and cheaper”
On Fri., Oct. 6 and throughout the month, The Cape May County Healthy Community Coalition will distribute information about the importance of properly disposing expired or left over prescriptions and the location of prescription drop boxes.
“There is something we can all do to help fight the opioid epidemic,” said Natalia Wilber, Healthy Community Coalition Coordinator. “We are fortunate that most of the Police Departments in our county have permanent prescription drop boxes that are available 24/7, 365 days a year & you can just bring your medicine and anonymously drop it in the box, no questions asked.”
The coalition members & volunteers will deliver informational cards to multiple locations, including local pharmacies, chiropractors, counseling services, pizzerias, businesses, and more. Cape Regional Medical Center will be inserting the cards with information on drop boxes in patients’ welcome packages.
If you would like to volunteer or own a business or organization that would like to participate, please call Natalia at 609-522-5960 or email Natalia@capeassist.org.
Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day is a project of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, in cooperation with the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse; the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Addiction Services; and the Community Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Morris, with thousands of volunteers across the state.
The Cape Assist organization is a non-profit agency, dedicated to servicing Cape May County for over 30 years. Cape Assist promotes health and wellness in the community, implementing research-based services to seniors, schools, businesses, and organizations, all structured to enrich families and build healthy communities. 609-522-5960. www.capeassist.org 3819 New Jersey Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260