Annual Candlelight Overdose Vigil

About the Vigil

Dozens of community members gathered on August 27th, 2019 for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of those we’ve lost to drug overdoses, and to raise awareness about the scourge of drug addiction and overdose throughout the country.

Families were invited to submit the names and photos of their loved ones prior to the event to be shown as part of a remembrance slideshow. The slideshow, in the intimate setting of the vigil, provided a rare opportunity for families affected by loss to remember and celebrate their lost loved ones publicly. The photos also served as a stark reminder that drug addiction has become ubiquitous, affecting diverse communities in our area and across the nation.

The Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force uses numerous outreach opportunities throughout the year to increase awareness of prescription opiate and heroin abuse and addiction, and they assist in the creation of programs to help educate residents of the resources available to prevent and treat addiction.

About the Speaker: Elizabeth Bakey

Elizabeth Bakey is a longtime resident of Camden County. She was raised in Gloucester City, where she currently resides and works as a teacher at Gloucester City High School. Elizabeth is the daughter of George and Carol Bakey, whom she describes as both loving and supportive. Elizabeth is also one of six  children. Her sister, Jackie, struggled and lost her fight with addiction. Elizabeth is honored to share her story about love, loss, and healing.

Elizabeth was honored to share her story about love, loss, and healing.  Click here for her speech.

Remembrance & Hope Memorial

Coming in 2020, Camden County’s Remembrance & Hope Memorial and Reflection Garden to be located in Timber Creek Park. The memorial will give a place for loved ones to gather, honor, and remember those we have lost to the disease of addiction.

About the Addiction Awareness Task Force

Since its inception in 2004, the Addiction Awareness Task Force has distributed over 30,000 pieces of educational literature throughout the county, held community awareness and educational events with over 10,000 attendees, and worked with local municipalities and law enforcement to expand access to medication drop boxes and implement Project S.A.V.E.

In addition, the task force’s Narcan/naloxone training program has equipped residents with overdose prevention kits, and provided every law enforcement agency in Camden County with Narcan, resulting in hundreds of Narcan saves countywide.

The task force works to help and educate residents on the resources available to prevent and treat addiction. If you or a loved one needs help please call our 24/7 toll-free confidential hotline for addiction help at (877) 266-8222 or call 911 in the event of an emergency.

The Camden County Office of Mental Health and Addiction is located in the Michael J. DiPiero Center for Human Services, 512 Lakeland Road in Gloucester Township. You can reach them by phone at (856) 374-6361.

Photo Gallery

[Show slideshow]

◄ 1 2 3 ►

In Remembrance

if your loved one was not remembered in this years event and you would like them to be remembered next year, please submit them here.