The United States is currently in the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis due to opioid addiction, a state of affairs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has labeled the “worst drug epidemic in US history.” In the last 15 years alone, the number of opioid-related overdose deaths have quadrupled. Drug overdose deaths have surpassed motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of accidental death in this country. Coupled with other consequences of the epidemic, such as infants born opioid-dependent, the burden opioid-related hospitalizations put on local resources, and the rising hepatitis C and HIV infection rates from injection use, virtually every person in America has been affected by the opioid epidemic in some way, shape, or form.
Despite the wide-spread negative impact of opioids like narcotic painkillers and heroin flooding our country, official response to the crises on federal, state, and local levels has been slow to come and underwhelming. Every day, approximately 91 people in America die from an opioid-related drug overdose, and many of these could be prevented with the proper resources in place, like access to Naloxone, which can be administered during an overdose to save the life of the individual.
Wellness Resource Center is asking alumni, friends, family, and anyone affected by the opioid epidemic to show their support and voice their frustration with the lack of response to this serious public health crisis. Southeast Florida Recovery Advocates (SEFRA), a grassroots coalition representing Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, and Miami-Dade counties will be holding a rally to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, 2017, from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM at the Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton campus. This event will be one of many throughout the country as part of the Fed Up! Rally for a Federal Response to the Opioid Epidemic, including a march in Washington DC. The event will include a town hall forum featuring Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay, State Attorney Dave Aronberg, and Delray PD Detective Nicole Lucas, among others.
The Fed Up! Rally for a Federal Response to the Opioid Epidemic is calling on the federal government to adequately respond to the opioid epidemic before countless others die as the result of opioid addiction. This call to action includes greater regulation of prescription painkillers, and increased funding for affordable, evidence-based treatment of opioid addiction. Since 1994, Wellness Resource Center has provided cost-effective, long-term treatment in South Florida to those suffering from substance use disorders like opioid addiction. WRC is proud to be a sponsor of the Southeast Florida Recovery Advocates local Fed Up! Rally.
Timeline for the event:
- 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM: Participants are invited to arrive early at Research Park on the Florida Atlantic University Campus, 3848 FAU Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33431 where there will be a station to create signs and banners in preparation for the rally.
- 6:15 – 6:30 PM: March from Research Park to the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium on the FAU Boca Raton Campus. Booths for free HIV testing and Naloxone training with be positioned at the entrance to the auditorium.
- 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Town Hall Forum in the auditorium.
- 8:00 PM: Candlelight vigil led by Calvary Chapel Celebrate Recovery.
If you are interested in attending the rally to support overdose awareness, please register for the event for free:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southeast-florida-local-fedup-2017-rally-tickets-35903987794
If you would like to make a contribution to Southeast Florida Recovery Advocates, you can do so by clicking on this link:
https://fellowshipfoundation.kindful.com/?campaign=269479
Not in the South Florida area but still would like to get involved? There are rallies being held across the country in commemoration of International Overdose Awareness Day; click the link below to find the rally near you:
