A recent TAPinto Piscataway article highlighted the efforts of local teen activist Tanvi Narava, who organized a candlelight vigil at Columbus Park Extension on August 7 to mark International Overdose Awareness Day. Dozens of community members came together for the event, where Tanvi, a 2025 Piscataway High School graduate, planted 45 white flags to represent overdose deaths in the township from 2019 to 2024, along with 200 purple flags to symbolize the total overdoses during that time.

Tanvi’s work began as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project, but it has quickly grown into a broader movement focused on education, prevention, and reducing stigma. In addition to organizing community events, she partnered with PDFNJ to create a Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series webinar on overdose intervention, giving her message an even wider reach.

Her leadership is a powerful reminder that awareness and action often begin at the grassroots level. You can learn more about what motivates her in her Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series webinar.