Morris County marks International Overdose Awareness Day with ceremony honoring lives lost, progress made
MORRIS PLAINS BOROUGH, N.J. (Morris County) — Morris County officials, families of overdose victims and service providers gathered Thursday on the lawn of the county’s Central Avenue Complex to recognize the 24th International Overdose Awareness Day, remembering lost lives and highlighting progress in addressing the opioid crisis.
The event, organized by the county Division of Community & Behavioral Health Services, marked the sixth consecutive year Morris County has observed Overdose Awareness Day, which is held annually on Aug. 31. It also acknowledged Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day, observed every July 14.
“Morris County has seen a steady decline in overdose tragedies since 2017, but it is important to stay vigilant, because behind every statistic is a son, a daughter, a friend or a loved one — and the fight to protect people from this crisis is never over,” said Commissioner Christine Myers. “The county has invested $820,000 in opioid settlement funds over the past two years to support prevention, Narcan training and recovery services. These efforts are saving lives.”
State Sen. Anthony Bucco, who sponsored legislation designating Aug. 31 as Overdose Awareness Day in New Jersey in 2020, delivered opening remarks.
“Addiction does not have to end in tragedy. Help and hope are always possible,” Bucco said. “Morris County immediately jumped in after the legislation was passed, starting programs and bringing us back year after year to remember — and to work for a day when substance abuse is a thing of the past.”
Nationally, overdose deaths have declined in recent years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2024, 80,391 lives were lost to overdose, down 27% from 110,037 in 2023.
“Morris County has made progress, but human lives are precious and all are worth rescuing. Our work here is a life-saving mission, and we must continue to see a reduction in these tremendous losses,” said Sheriff James Gannon. “I am so proud of all our efforts, from Hope One to our many partnerships, but today I especially want to recognize Cpl. Erica Valvano, the ‘Mother of Hope One.’ Erica has saved many of the lives included in that progress. This is timely and coincidental today, as Erica works her last day here in Morris County — I want to thank her for the direct and incredible impact she has made!”
Morris County Chief Sheriff’s Officer Aaron Tomasini also spoke, highlighting partnerships that support the county’s response, including the Sheriff’s Office Re-Entry Program, the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative, the Hope One mobile unit, Navigating Hope, and the county’s Overdose Fatality Review Team.
Narcan has been critical to the county’s response. Since 2017, Hope One has distributed nearly 12,000 Narcan kits, credited with 185 reported uses to save or attempt to save lives. Law enforcement officers reversed 162 overdoses in 2022, 144 in 2023, 96 in 2024 and 39 so far this year.
“In New Jersey, the crisis keeps evolving. Pills became heroin, heroin became fentanyl, and now we see fentanyl mixed with other poisons,” said Brad Seabury, Morris County Chief Assistant Prosecutor. “Just recently, about three-quarters of opioids seized here in Morris County contained xylazine.”
“The trend is encouraging,” he added. “It means lives are being saved, and fewer emergency calls are ending in tragedy.”
The ceremony included prayers, musical performances and personal reflections from families and individuals in recovery. Carol Egan, founder of the Global Recovery Movement, led a remembrance for those lost.
Officials said the event was a solemn reminder of the continuing battle against addiction and the importance of compassion, action and community support.
