POMONA, N.J. -

The State of New Jersey is standing up to "knock out" the opioid health crisis.

On Friday, October 6th, state and local officials rolled out the Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day initiative with events throughout the state.

Volunteers in Atlantic County met at Stockton University Friday morning to begin distributing information on opioid addiction and prevention.

The initiative's aim is to raise awareness about the drug epidemic and teach residents about the resources available for struggling addicts.

"It's affecting so many different people [and] it doesn't discriminate," said Liz Alexander, event organizer with the NJCC AmeriCorps VISTA program. "It's everywhere."

Alexander also hopes this program will open up dialogue so that it "reduces [the] stigma around addiction."

To learn more about opioid abuse or to find prevention resources visit drugfreenj.org. 

Related: 'Knock Out Abuse Town Hall' Visits Town Hall