Warren County Prosecutor’s Office joins regional partners for Overdose Awareness Day at TD Bank Ballpark
BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — Acting Warren County Prosecutor Jessica L. Cardone and the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office Operation Helping Hand initiative participated in the 5th Annual Overdose Awareness Day event Saturday at TD Bank Ballpark, home of the Somerset Patriots.
The Aug. 23 gathering brought together Operation Helping Hand programs from Somerset, Union, Warren and Hunterdon counties to support people in recovery and honor those lost to substance use disorder.
Organizers said the event aimed to reduce stigma, encourage conversations about addiction, and connect attendees with vital recovery resources, including peer support services and law enforcement-led initiatives.
Two ceremonial first pitches marked the day — one thrown 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 reminder of the crisis’ impact.
Local partners, including Community in Crisis of Bernardsville, Parent to Parent Addiction Services of Warren County, Prevention Links of Roselle, and Prevention Resources of Flemington, collaborated in planning the event.
On game day, Naloxone kits were distributed in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Human Services. The opioid overdose reversal kits were made available to community members at risk or those in a position to assist someone in crisis.
For Warren County residents seeking help, Acting Prosecutor Cardone and Acting Chief of Detectives Brenton S. Warne urged individuals to contact Parent to Parent Addiction Services at 908-223-1951 to be connected directly to services.
