International Overdose Awareness Day is held every Aug. 31 worldwide, and it's coming to Veteran's Park in Hamilton.
HAMILTON -- Justine Frank has waited in a hospital hallway while doctors saved her son's life as heroin coursed through his body.
And she's comforted parents who went to wake up their teen children for school to find them dead in their beds, with heroin nearby.
Since 2009, Frank has been involved in drug overdose prevention efforts in Mercer County, with many others, and now she's helping to plan an event that hopes to heal some of the pain.
International Overdose Awareness Day is held every Aug. 31 worldwide, and Frank and the Prevention Coalition of Mercer County are bringing it to Veteran's Park in Hamilton this year.
Frank, chairwoman of the Prevention Coalition of Mercer County, or PCMC, attended an overdose awareness day in Sayreville last year.
The event had a candlelight vigil, but people also brought pairs of shoes to symbolize people they knew who died of a drug overdose.
She saw girly teenage flip-flops and military combat boots.
"And even with my think skin, I was moved," she said.
Frank and the PCMC invited people to do the same thing for the Hamilton vigil. They will form a circle and support one another. "If anyone wants to share, they can step into the circle," Frank said.
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It does not matter how long ago the person passed away, she said. "We're going to remember them, and remember them together," she said.
One of the PCMC's aims is to de-stigmatize addiction that families and loved ones of addicts deal with, and to help them "step out of the shadows and shame to request the help and resources they deserve, as well as the addicted seeking help."
Scheduled to speak are Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri and Hamilton Mayor Kelly Yaede.
Also attending will be Jonathan Frank, Justin's son, a former standout athlete at Hunterdon Central High School who survived three overdoses and volunteers with the organization, she said.
As well as Dave & Eileen Harris, parents who lost their young adult son to an overdose last month.
The PCMC's mission is to educate the public regarding substance misuse issues and consists of many organizations, such as the prosecutor's office, local treatment agencies, hospital and health care organizations, therapists, private individuals and volunteers who have a stake in the well-being of Mercer County residents.
The Aug. 31 vigil in Veteran's Park is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.