Police, Somerset Patriots Team Up To Host Overdose Awareness Day Event

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Prosecutors’ Offices of Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties announce the 5th Annual Overdose Awareness Day Event being held on Saturday, Aug. 23, at TD Bank Ballpark, home of the Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate.

International Opioid Overdose Awareness Day, observed annually on Aug. 31, is a campaign that aims to end drug overdose by promoting prevention and harm reduction strategies.

In honor of this day, the Operation Helping Hand (OHH) initiatives in Somerset, Union, Warren, and Hunterdon counties have united to support those in recovery and remember those lost to substance use disorder.

To help reduce stigma and promote conversations, the four County Prosecutors’ Offices have collaborated to demonstrate solidarity in their commitment to helping individuals and communities affected by substance use disorder. This joint event also raises awareness of the dangers of opioid misuse and connects the attendees with vital recovery resources, including peer support services and law enforcement-led initiatives.

Two ceremonial first pitches will be thrown — one by a person in long-term recovery, symbolizing resilience and hope, and another by a family honoring a loved one lost to substance use disorder, serving as a poignant reminder of its impact.

"Another year to again recognize the important work that Operation Helping Hand performs in supporting those who struggle with addiction. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office has a very active OHH program, and we look forward to the 5th Annual Overdose Awareness Day with the Somerset Patriots. It is a wonderful opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation to all of those providing the valuable resources needed to successfully recover from addiction,” said John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor.

"The Somerset Patriots are extremely proud to be able to host such an important event at the ballpark and to partner up with our local law enforcement agencies to help spread the message of how to prevent opioid overdose," said Somerset Patriots Vice President of Operations Bryan Iwicki. "Opioid overdose touches so many people’s lives in so many different ways. I think almost everyone knows someone who has suffered from addiction in some way and being able to educate people on how to get help and educating others on how they can help their friends and family is so important."

Local community partners, including Community in Crisis (Bernardsville), Parent to Parent Addiction Services Inc. (Washington), Prevention Links (Roselle), and Prevention Resources (Flemington), collaborated in planning the event.

On game day, Naloxone kits will be distributed in partnership with the New Jersey State Department of Human Services. The kits are available to those in the community who are at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose and/or to those in the position to administer the opioid antidote to a person experiencing an opioid overdose.

There will be a 50/50 raffle to benefit Community in Crisis, a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Somerset County. Community in Crisis leads and unites communities to reduce the incidence and consequences of the misuse of substances through education, prevention, and holistic support in an environment free of stigma. This is achieved primarily through hosting educational events, implementing community-wide stigma-free campaigns, and building key partnerships with medical practitioners and law enforcement.

Funding for the OHH program comes from a grant provided by the State of New Jersey, Department of Law & Public Safety, Office of the Attorney General (OAG), and the Office of Alternative and Community Responses (OACR), which coordinates statewide addiction-fighting efforts.

Somerset County residents: Prosecutor McDonald and Chief Francisco Roman Jr. request that anyone seeking addiction services contact OHH by calling 908-393-8888, visiting the Somerset County OHH website at bit.ly/somersetohh or emailing ohh@co.somerset.nj.us to be connected to services.