Kearny gathered at Town Hall Park for Overdose Awareness Day, honoring the lives lost to overdose and raising awareness about prevention, recovery, and the ongoing impact of the opioid epidemic on families and communities.

Mayor Carol Jean Doyle, Councilwoman Marytrine De Castro and Councilman Jose Rodrigues were joined by Assemblyman Jerry Walker, Father Joe Mancini, the Kearny-Belleville Elks and the Kearny Prevention Coalition for a flag-raising ceremony and candlelight vigil.

During the ceremony, Mayor Doyle read a proclamation designating August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day and August 2026 as Overdose Awareness Month in Kearny.

As evening fell, Town Hall was lit in purple as a symbol of remembrance, awareness and hope for everyone affected by overdose and addiction.

Thank you to all who joined us in remembering those we’ve lost and supporting those still affected.