Press Conference Remembers Long Islanders Lost to Overdose (source)
Family & Children’s Association (FCA), one of Long Island’s largest nonprofit health and human services organizations on Long Island, hosted its annual International Overdose Awareness Day event and press conference on Aug. 30 at its THRIVE Recovery Community and Outreach Center in Hauppauge.
The room was filled with families and friends of those lost to this public health epidemic, people in recovery, social workers, government officials, and the press. The morning’s agenda included a call to action, updated overdose statistics, testimony from community partners, firsthand remembrances and tributes from a variety of speakers, and Narcan training. The event closed with a candlelight vigil and a name reading of those lost to an overdose in the past year.
According to the CDC, between March of 2023 and March of 2024, the reported number of drug overdose deaths decreased by approximately 9.4%, from 110,082 to 99,684, while the predicted number of deaths also saw a decline of about 7.5%. Compared to the previous year, March 2022 to March 2023, in which there was a slight increase in reported and predicted deaths. There is still much work left to be done.
International Overdose Awareness Day, traditionally observed on the last day of August, aims to raise awareness of this critical public health issue, end overdose, honor without stigma those who have lost their lives, acknowledge the grief of families and friends, and encourage action and discussion on evidence-based overdose prevention and drug policies.
Speakers at the event included Jeffrey L. Reynolds, PhD., FCA President and Chief Executive Officer; Steve Chassman, Executive Director, Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD); Anthony Rizzuto, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor of Seafield Center; Alana Urbont Marino, Director of Community Engagement, Human Understanding & Growth Services, Inc. (HUGS, Inc.); and Dr. Edmond Hakimi, Medical Director at Wellbridge. Victoria “Tori” Sholl spoke about the struggles of her daughter, Jessica and how it affected her entire family. Today, Jessica is in recovery and works as a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate and Program Supervisor in FCA’s Sherpa program, meeting with individuals and families within hospitals and the community who are struggling with Substance Use Disorder.
“Our hope is that this event is meaningful, informative, emotionally charged and ultimately healing for those who attend,” said Dr. Reynolds. “Our goal is always to end this epidemic and eliminate the need for an International Overdose Awareness Day.”
THRIVE envision a community that fosters health, safety, and support for individuals at every stage of recovery. The staff & volunteers assist individuals and families in finding, sustaining, and enhancing their recovery through peer-based support, resource and referral services, and interactive educational programs. They also provide a safe and welcoming environment for substance-free recreational and social activities.
Family & Children’s Association (FCA) leads the operations and oversight of THRIVE Recovery Community and Outreach Center in partnership with the LICADD, LIRA, Families in Support of Treatment (F.I.S.T.), and HUGS, Inc.. THRIVE is funded by the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and through private contributions.