Etheridge to perform virtual concert

DARIEN — According to Holly Jespersen, senior communication manager for Shatterproof, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing instances of social isolation, depression and anxiety and substance use to be on the rise.

To that end, though Shatterproof had to cancel its annual 5K run/walk this year, it’s announced a new virtual event, the Shatterproof Stronger Than Addiction Challenge, featuring a performance by Grammy-winning musician Melissa Etheridge.

Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization based in Connecticut that is dedicated to helping families deal with their addicted loved ones. CEO Gary Mendell lost his son Brian to addiction.

In conjunction with state stay-at-home orders, Shatterproof has seen a 17.5 percent increase in fatal overdoses over the same time period last year, according to Courtney Gallo Hunter, vice president of state policy at Shatterproof.

“There is a clear correlation between the pandemic and overdose deaths. The isolation, stress and economic devastation of COVID-19 is fueling America's addiction crisis,” she said.

One opportunity to stem the tide, Hunter said, is by increasing access to naloxone, which can reverse the effects of an overdose.

“While people are using drugs in isolation and at home, family and friends need to have naloxone on them and in the house,” Hunter said.

The idea of the Shatterproof Challenge is for people to commit to doing a bold challenge on Sept. 26, while many others do them simultaneously around the country.

Examples given by Shatterpoof include walking, cycling, painting, hiking or inviting fundraisers to get creative.

That afternoon, the group will come together via Zoom for the Etheridge concert for Shatterproof Challenge participants.

One participating team from Darien comprises people who have organized the “For Michael” challenge in the past for Michael Taylor.

Taylor was a Darien High grad who lost his battle with opioid addiction in 2016 at age 26. The For Michael event was an annual event at Weed Beach involving a build-your-own boat race to raise money for Shatterproof. Like many other events, this was also canceled due to the pandemic.