Community observes International Overdose Awareness Day at Columbian Park

Community observes International Overdose Awareness Day at Columbian Park

Awareness day.

This event is the kick off to national recovery month in september.

Today dozens gathered at columbian park to observe this day.

News 18's micah upshaw tells us what it's all about.

K: people are quarantining, people are locked in their homes, you have an up rise in anxiety and stress and you know it's still going on.

M: while the nation is slowing down during the covid-19 pandemic, substance-abuse isn't.

That's why drug free coalition of tippecanoe county leaders say this year's overdose awareness day is particularly important.

D: the goal of this event is to provide support to individuals who have lost ones to overdoses and then also to educate the public so we can start reducing some of the social stigma that's attached to substance use disorder.

M: donna zoss is a co-chair on the drug free coalition.

She says the theme of this event is a time to remember and a time to act.

Part of the event included learning cpr and how to administer naloxone (nuh- lock-zone) -- a life saving drug that can revive someone who has overdosed.

Another part included a moment of silence to remember the local lives lost from an overdose.

D: in 2019, in tippecanoe county there was 21 documented drug overdose deaths, in the state of indiana its 1,600 and some.

Nat m: tony schabel, a father who lost his daughter to an overdose this february was invited to speak at this year's event.

He talked about why he believes his faith is a solution to the overdose pandemic.

T: the problem that these kids and that these people are facing are spiritual issues that can't be met any other way then from a spiritual god.

M: those in attendance were county health leaders as well as people impacted by substance- abuse.

Zoss hopes today's event serves as a reminder that recovery is possible.

D: a life saved is one that can then be treated and many of these people or most all of these people that are suffering from substance use disorder have gifts and talents which they have not had the oortunity to fully develop.

M: micah upshaw news 18.

In honor of overdose awareness day, the tippecanoe county courthouse glowing purple.

Purple is the national color that represents recovery.

Tonight: