Burlington Review

Burlington County officials will join local advocates, residents, providers, and families Thursday evening for a vigil memorializing residents who have died due to substance use disorder.

The Night of Tribute & Support is held annually on International Overdose Awareness Day to help eliminate stigma surrounding substance use disorder, remember those who lost their lives to the disease, and provide support to their loved ones.

“Substance use disorder has stolen the lives of hundreds of Burlington County residents of all ages, races and backgrounds. We gather to remember these victims and to show support to their loved ones and to those who are waging their own battles against this terrible disease,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “We continue to provide help and support to those who need it, and we continue to speak out and take action to eliminate stigma surrounding substance abuse and all mental illnesses.”

State Assemblywoman Andrea Katz said the remembrance ceremony offers families impacted by substance use disorder opportunities to honor their loved ones and learn about available support and resources.

“It’s important for Burlington County residents and families to know they’re not alone and that Burlington County has programs and resources to aid them and their families,” said Assemblywoman Katz. “Ceremonies like this one also help us eliminate the stigma surrounding substance abuse so those suffering or impacted by this illness are not afraid to come forward and seek help.”

The vigil will be held at 7 PM this Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Burlington County Amphitheater in Westampton. The event is organized by the Burlington County Coalition for Health Communities, Burlington County Department of Human Services, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, and Shouting for Shelby—a nonprofit that provides support and resources to families impacted by substance use disorder.

This year marks the seventh year the vigil has been organized in Burlington County.

Former Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina will serve as Master of Ceremonies at the event. Scheduled speakers include Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw and Alisa Baron of Britney’s Justice 4 Overdose Awareness. The vigil will also feature musical performances, tributes, and the reading of names of loved ones lost due to substance use disorder.

The Burlington County Hope One Mobile Outreach Unit will be present at the amphitheater along with the new Hope One for Youth van.

Hope One for Youth launched earlier this year to provide mental health services and outreach to county children and teenagers. The unit travels locally educating teens, children, parents about mental health, substance use prevention, emotional well-being, resiliency, and stigma-reduction.

Both Hope One units are part of the county’s comprehensive response to the opioid crisis. Actions taken include:

- Creating a Stigma-free Burlington County campaign.

- Launching the Peer Recovery Center inside Burlington City’s municipal building.

- Partnering with organizations like YMCA of the Pines in Medford for Camp Cardinal.

- Distributing overdose emergency kits containing Naloxone (Narcan).

These efforts have contributed significantly towards reversing an increase in overdose deaths experienced from 2013-2019. In five years, suspected drug overdose deaths decreased 22% from 164 deaths in 2019 to 128 last year according to NJCARES data published by New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

“We’ve taken action...to dispel stigma that can hinder recovery...Every life we save is a victory,” added Hopson.