ZMC Health Department Gears up for 2nd Annual Community Education and Awareness Family Fun Night

ZANESVILLE, OH – August is Overdose Awareness Month and to help highlight that, a local health organization is gearing up for a night of family fun and education.

The Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department is getting ready to host their second annual Community Education and Awareness Family Fun Night on Monday August 25th.

Monica Batteiger, the Family Advocate at the Health Department, says this year they’ve expanded and have added a DJ to the line up of fun.

She says there will be a bounce house for the kids, food, games, prizes, but there will also be time for overdose education as well as Narcan training.

“So this year we are doing something a little bit different, so everyone will receive a gift bag and in that giftbag everybody will receive Narcan, Project Dawn.” Batteiger said. “Prevention and awareness, that’s our goal. Is to bring it to the community. I believe that you don’t have to be impacted by substance use to want to learn about it. I always say you’re better to learn before it happens to you, that way, you know how to handle it, if and when it does.”

Batteiger says another thing families can look forward to doing at this event is “Leaving your Mark” on a paver stone.

She says families who have lost someone to overdose are able to come and decorate a stone that will then be put on display in front of the Courthouse on August 31st.

“Everybody knows somebody who’s been impacted by substance use.” Batteiger said. “And to support the ones that have lost somebody, you know that I think that, we all know somebody down the line that has lost somebody to substance use, overdose.”

The Community Education and Awareness Family Fun Night will take place in the Health Department’s Parking lot from 6 to 8PM on the 25th.

Batteiger asks if you do want to decorate a paver stone for a loved one, to call and let them know so there will be enough supplies for everyone.

For more information you can head to the Health Department’s Facebook page.