Chester County 5K fundraiser canceled by coronavirus
WEST CHESTER » At the same time that they honored those who have dedicated themselves to getting sober from substance abuse and made another monetary contribution to an innovative approach to helping people achieve that goal, the Chester County Commissioners announced the cancellation of their signature fundraising event.
Starting in 2016, the “runwalk-get colored” Color 5K event has raised several thousands dollars to help battle the opioid and heroin epidemic in Chester County. As evidence of the financial support the race provides, on Wednesday Commissioner Michelle Kichline announced the donation of $50,000, for the Community Outreach & Prevention Education program that encourages substance abusers to get immediate assistance after drug overdoses.
But in thanking sponsors and participants for their tremendous support of the 2019 event, Kichline confirmed that the event this year would not be held, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about health and safety.
“Although we considered holding a virtual Color 5K this year, we know that so many worthy non-profits in Chester County are struggling because of COVID-19,” Kichline, who has spearheaded the commissioners’ efforts against opioid addiction, said during the commissioners virtual public meeting. “And many of those non-profits provide crucial services that are linked to, and positively address substance abuse.
“So rather than hold a virtual 5K and ask for donations to the Color 5K, we encourage everyone to set a goal of running (or walking) their own 5K,” she said. “Dress in brightly colored clothes if you want, and then make a donation to the Chester County non-profit of your choice in memory of someone you know who lost their life to substance abuse, or to honor someone who is still struggling with substance abuse.”
Kichline’s comments came as she and her follow commissioners, Chairwoman Marian Moskowitz and Vice Chairman Josh Maxwell, noted the efforts of county staff and community organizations to address substance abuse.
The commissioners presented a proclamation recognizing September as National Recovery Month; noted the county’s support for National Overdose Awareness Day on Monday, Aug. 31; and announced the $50,000 donation to COPE.
Reading the proclamation for National Recovery Month, Maxwell said that, “Every day, courageous women and men take the step toward reclaiming their lives from substance use disorders, and recognition that recovery is a reality sends a message of hope to the community.”
He also noted the call for all residents to celebrate individuals in recovery and to honor all family members, treatment and recovery support professionals and champion who make recovery possible.
Vince Brown, executive director of the county Department of Drug and Alcohol Services noted the coming of two future virtual events scheduled in September: Recovery Walks 2020 on Sept. 12 and a community naloxone training day on Sept. 22, co-hosted with Chester County Hospital.
Moskowitz also provided details of the county’s participation in International Overdose Awareness Day, which includes placing 104 purple pinwheels on the lawn of the Justice Center and West Chester Borough Hall; one pinwheel for every Chester County life lost to opioid and heroin overdose in 2019.
“In displaying these pinwheels, we encourage everyone to raise awareness of overdose, reduce the stigma surrounding overdoses and drug-related deaths, remember the lives lost to overdose, and acknowledge the immense grief felt by families and friends who have lost someone that they love to this terrible disease,” she said.
Developed by the county Drug and Alcohol Services office and the Chester County Drug Overdose Prevention Task Force, the COPE program ensures overdose survivors who are treated in local emergency departments are personally encouraged to enter substance abuse treatment immediately on their discharge from the hospital, the so-called “Warm Nadoff” approach.
A 24/7 on-call Engagement Team provides personal support for overdose survivors and their family and friends while they are in the hospital emergency department, as well as following discharge from. COPE also provides overdose prevention information and outreach to the hospitals and their staff.
Since its inception, the COPE program has made 287 personal referrals for overdose survivors, taking them from hospital to treatment facilities These services continue to be offered during the pandemic, with special measures being taken to ensure those who are in need of treatment receive it safely.
In addition to developing and implementing the COPE program, the county has continued to address the many different aspects of the opioid and heroin crisis through its Overdose Prevention Task Force, according to a press release.
One of the first to create a task force that takes a multidisciplinary approach to the opioid crisis in the state, the task force combines the arrest and prosecution of drug dealers by police and prosecutors with moving those suffering from addiction into treatment and counseling; educating children and their parents through prevention programming; taking drugs off the streets through the drop box initiative, and working with doctors and health care providers on opioid prescribing practices.