Hall Recovers Night of Awareness kicked off at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday for the first time in person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event was hosted by J's Place Recovery Center and other community partners at Roosevelt Square in Downtown Gainesville to recognize those who have died as a result of substance abuse and to honor those in recovery.
“I'm glad to know the people in the community care even if they're not a part of the disease or haven't experienced that firsthand,” Blakely Prince, a recovering addict, said.
The event featured speeches from Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish, Executive Director of J's Place Jordan Hussey and guest speaker Katie Dunagan.
“Every addict is someone's child, or a parent, or sibling or friend, and no one is immune from it. Addiction affects every single community in this country. We need help,” Dunigan said during her speech.
Dunigan is a recovering addict that struggled for 12 years. She now works as a recovery coach at J's Place Recovery Center.
“I wanted to quit go bad, but I did not know how,” she said.
According to Chief Parrish, the war on drugs still continues. Fentanyl is being mixed with other drugs, increasing overdose cases. Parrish said the Gainesville Police Department saved over 57 overdoses this year with NARCAN, CPR and other medical assistance.
“We've also lost over 20 people this year to death. That causes ODs to be at a greater number than two per week,” Parrish said during his speech.
Many resources were offered at the event such as information tables on recovery centers, the District 2 Public Health Department, Gainesville Police Department and free NARCAN.
“It's really rewarding. It's an opportunity to reach out to the community and let them know what our mission is here and that's to help,” Eric Pettifer, the Assistant General Manager for the Georgia chapter of the PTSD Foundation of America said.
The event ended with a candlelight ceremony and name reading to honor those who lost their lives due to an overdose.
