Overdose Awareness Week: Boone County’s effort to break the silence

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO) — Boone County is hosting its first Overdose Awareness Week, leading up to Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st, with a series of community events aimed at raising awareness about substance use disorders.

The week-long series of events is organized by Kristen Day, a peer support navigator with the Boone County Health Department, and aims to provide support and resources to those affected by substance use disorders. Events include a tie-dye activity, a butterfly release, and a memorial event to honor those impacted by overdose.

“So many of us suffer in silence, afraid to ask for help,” said Day. “It’s important to know that you’re not alone.”

Day, who started her role in November, has been instrumental in organizing the week’s activities. She noted that spreading events throughout the week helps maintain community engagement, especially since Overdose Awareness Day falls on Labor Day weekend.

Day’s personal connection to the cause is profound, as her father died of alcoholism. Her family is actively involved in the week’s events, with her brother cooking and another brother providing entertainment with magic and balloon animals.

Overdose Awareness Week in Boone County not only aims to raise awareness but also to foster a sense of community and support for those affected by substance use disorders.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WTVO. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WTVO staff before being published.