A Community Driven by Hope: Northport Vigil Highlights Local Efforts Against Opioid Crisis

On Aug. 29, the Northport community gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor those

affected by opioid overdoses. The event, held in conjunction with International Opioid

Awareness Day, carried the theme “Community Driven by Hope” this year, emphasizing

both solidarity and the role of local initiatives in combating addiction.

Linda Oristano, director of the AWARE Drug and Alcohol Community Coalition, which

transitioned to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit last year, led the vigil. “I like to focus on the hope

piece,” she said. “And community. I think it’s really important to include everyone in the

community when we have things like this, anything that’s of importance.”

Oristano highlighted the importance of naloxone, also known as Narcan, a nasal spray

that can reverse opioid overdoses within minutes. “Everybody should know how to use it

because it blocks the effects of opioids and restores normal breathing when someone’s

breathing has slowed or stopped,” she said. “Trainings are available by request on our

website for schools, groups, or families.” Oristano also noted the importance of calling

911 immediately, even before administering naloxone. “My goal is to have a Narcan kit

in every single home, just like a first-aid kit. Hopefully you’ll never have to use it, but why

not have it?”

She also warned about the concerning rise of new synthetic opioids. These include

nitazene, which can be up to 43 times more potent than fentanyl, and the veterinary

tranquilizer xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” which can complicate overdoses and cause

severe tissue damage. “Even a tiny amount can cause an overdose or fatality,” she said.

“When it’s mixed with fentanyl, it makes overdoses harder to treat because Narcan only

reverses the opioid part. Xylazine can cause severe wounds—it’s not made for humans,

and it’s extremely dangerous.”

Amid these new challenges, Oristano’s local youth engagement has especially been a

bright spot. “I love 1Life, they’re our youth coalition. They’re doing really well—I just met

with them recently to go over the strategy for the year,” Oristano said. “These are great

kids, and they are looking forward to making an impact in the school, which is really

important because it’s peer to peer—kids their own age, who their classmates actually

listen to,” she chuckled. The 1Life group addresses substance misuse, mental health,

and environmental issues throughout the school year, which are all interconnected,

Oristano noted.

Recent data provides reason for cautious optimism – according to the CDC, there was a

27% drop in opioid overdose deaths nationally last year, from an estimated 110,000 in

2023 to 80,000 in 2024. Locally, Northport and East Northport saw fewer than 200

emergency calls related to overdoses last year, according to Oristano.

Data from the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD)

indicates a significant decline in opioid-related overdose deaths in Suffolk County, with

463 fatalities in 2023, an 11.4% decrease from 524 in 2022. Preliminary figures from

last year show a further decline, with 311 confirmed opioid-related deaths. In Nassau

County, overdose deaths also decreased by 22% from 230 in 2023 to an estimated 179

in the 12 months ending in September 2024.

Oristano emphasized the ongoing need for education and prevention. “I’m really happy

that the numbers are going down. But again, I really think it’s because of all the work

that everyone’s doing. The community works. There are so many different pieces to the

puzzle—prevention, education, treatment—and they all go together.”

Looking ahead, the coalition is hosting several events to engage the community and

promote recovery awareness. On Friday, AWARE will be partnering with 15 local stores

to bring participants a Scavenger Hunt at Northport Village Park from 4 to 6 p.m.

The coalition’s largest fundraiser, the Color Run, will take place on Oct. 18. “We’re not

just making it a run this year. It’s going to be like a color day,” Oristano said. “We want

kids to be more involved with their families...all kinds of games they can play, face

painting, bounces, dance contests—it’s a day of fun for everyone.”

Charlie Zeeve

Journalist

Times Beacon Record News Media