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Department of Health In Clay recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day

Clay County — The Florida Department of Health in Clay County will participate in the “Remembering Without Stigma” event in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, 2022. The event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the New Season Treatment Center.

Hosted by the Clay County Opioid Taskforce, the event commemorates lives lost to substance use and acknowledges individuals struggling with addiction, while supporting those in recovery. Glenn East, Battalion Chief of Clay County Fire Rescue will host the event as keynote speaker and will share information on the Community Paramedicine Program.

“A Story of Struggle and Hope from a Peer Specialist in Recovery,” message willl be delivered by a peer specialist from the Clay Behavioral Health Center. Attendees will also receive Narcan and Deterra and learn how to properly use each product. If you would like to honor a loved one lost to the opioid crisis during this event, please contact Mary Alex Porter at Mary.Porter@flhealth.gov or 904-529-2800.

International Overdose Awareness Day is described as a “day to stand in solidarity with victims with the hope of reducing future overdose deaths and spread the hopeful message that these deaths are preventable.” The campaign was created to raise awareness of overdose fatalities as a public health crisis. Recent data shows that many communities struggle with opioid epidemics. The day is also intended to reduce the stigma attached to the opioid epidemic.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a day of to remember the lives lost to overdose while ackowledging those grieving the memory of their loved ones.

New Season Treatment Center 1241 Blanding Blvd., Suite 5 Orange Park, FL 32065.

To learn more about International Overdose Awareness Day visit www.overdoseday.com

Lucia Viti

Lucia Viti

Lucia Viti is a seasoned journalist, photojournalist, and published author and works as a reporter for WOKV News. Lucia is a graduate of the University of West Virginia with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism.