(Kearny, NJ) – On Wednesday, May 15, 2019, Mayor Alberto G. Santos and Council Members Carol Jean Doyle, Susan McCurrie, Marytrine De Castro and Albino Cardoso joined “Kearny Cares”, Kearny Municipal Alliance on Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Kearny Prevention Coalition for a Candlelight Vigil to raise drug dependency education and awareness in the community.
The candlelight vigil took place at 7:00 p.m. at American Revolution Bicentennial Park in Kearny and included remarks by Mayor Alberto G. Santos and former Governor James E. McGreevey that highlighted the importance of education about substance abuse, the warning signs of addiction, where to get help for those suffering with addiction, and the consequences that addiction can have on one’s physical and mental health, family, relationships. Residents were invited to join family and friends to remember loved ones lost to or suffering from addiction.
The featured speaker, former Governor James E. McGreevey, is the Executive Director of the NJ Reentry Corporation where 7,000 formerly incarcerated person and addicts are served with addiction treatment, employment training, legal and medical services. Brochures on how alcohol and drugs affect the mind and body were made available by Kearny Cares, Kearny Municipal Alliance Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Kearny Prevention Coalition as well as information on how to deal with a family member or friend who is struggling with a substance use disorder and how to be supportive during the detoxification and rehabilitation process.
(Photos by Barbara Goldberg)
For 24 hour assistance contact: NJ Addiction Hotline: 1-844-276-2777.
