Overdose 'Hotspots' Focus Of New Howell Alliance Campaign

HOWELL, NJ — Places where people with an addiction often inject drugs - possibly overdosing - are the focus of a new awareness campaign in town.

The Howell Alliance, a township agency that increases awareness about substance abuse and mental health, is now displaying laminated flyers in overdose "hotspots" and around town to reduce stigmas and provide support resources.

Although most overdoses occur at home, bathrooms, particularly at pharmacies, can be a common place for people to use drugs after purchasing syringes, says Christa Riddle, coordinator of the Howell Alliance. Convenience store bathrooms can also be a place for substance use. She said the flyers will also be placed at bus stops.

Residents can share this flyer online or as a printed flyer to help save lives, she said.

The flyer offers support to people who have an addiction or who have mental health problems.

"You are not alone," is the main message of the flyer. And it give QR code links and phone numbers to places that are local that can help: CPC Behavioral Healthcare, High Focus Center and Relevance Recovery.

The flyer reminds everyone to call 911 for an overdose emergency and that 988 is the new number for mental health and suicide crises.

Howell Alliance thanked members CPC Behavioral Healthcare, High Focus Centers, and Relevance Recovery for partnering with them on the project to provide local support resources to those in need.