Community to mark Overdose Awareness Day in Newark

Community members will gather at the Canal Market District next week to remember those whose lives have been lost to accidental drug overdoses in Licking County.

Between 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Newark Homeless Outreach and the Licking County chapter of Ohio CAN (Change Addiction Now) will hold an event recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day.

Newark Homeless Outreach co-founder and Licking County chapter of Ohio CAN coordinator Patricia Perry said their agency hopes to have someone in place to talk about the anti-stigma campaign, as well as explaining the opioid settlement money.

"People need to understand that this money is not tax money. It is money coming from the distributors of opioids. It is money that should be going to the families who lost their kids," Perry said.

Perry said their event will include speakers, such as Ashley Washburn with Family Health Services of East Central Ohio, a couple of people in recovery and a parent who lost their child to addiction, as well as Thomas Fletcher with Lower Lights Christian Health. A portion of the event will also be open mic.

Informational tables from OhioCAN Licking County and Newark Homeless Outreach, Family Health Services of East Central Ohio, Whole Living Recovery, Licking County Health Department, Purpose After Tears (PAT), Lighthouse, Licking County Alcoholism Prevention Program, Mayhaven, Licking County Municipal Court probation, and Lower Lights Christian Health will be on site.

Perry said the event will include a candlelight vigil and a balloon release. A memorial table will also be set up to help remember the lives of those lost.

Perry said if anyone has lost a loved one to addiction, then can submit or bring a photo of their loved one to the memorial table. For more information, contact Vanbibber at stephaniedunlap285@gmail.com or Perry at t-pf@hotmail.com or visit Newark Homeless Outreach's Facebook page.