Market Street Mission Observes International Overdose Awareness Day, National Recovery Month

Photo: Market Street Mission’s Life Change Program support for men struggling with substance abuse.

Market Street Mission recently observed International Overdose Awareness Day – “a day when we remember our loved ones lost to an overdose, and we commit to spreading the message that there is hope for recovery.”

Nearly 107,000 people lost their lives to an overdose in the United States last year, according to provisional data from the CDC. This includes over 2,600 people right here in the state of New Jersey. While the numbers have decreased slightly from last year, the need for recovery services remains critical.

At the Market Street Mission, recognized as one of America’s Best Addiction Treatment Centers (2023, Newsweek Magazine), the free, long-term Life Change Program offered at the organization’s Morristown and Asbury Park locations provides support for men struggling with substance abuse so they can recover from their addictions, rebuild their lives, and set the foundation for a healthy, sober future.

“We value life tremendously, because God values life. By God’s grace, we want to attempt to intercede before an overdose takes another life,” explains Jacob Gaeta, Market Street Mission’s Program Director. “Men from different backgrounds come to us battling the same issue: a substance that has controlled their lives. They’re looking for freedom and a new life, and when they come to the Market Street Mission, we can present them with that. We have a wonderful long-term program and aftercare program offering accountability, support, and encouragement. We want to see men come to know Christ, get clean and sober, get to the root of their issues, take responsibility, find jobs and reconcile with their families – all the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional healing.”

Through components like work therapy, counseling, AA/NA recovery meetings, chapel services, educational development in our Learning Center, and a final phase of classroom instruction, the Mission’s Life Change Program equips our residents to escape the dangers of drug use and overdose and instead to pursue lives of long-term sobriety.

Glenn, a Life Change Program graduate and current Mission employee, reflects, “I came to the Mission in 2020 broken. I was a heroin addict for 25 years, but I left at the right time in my life, because fentanyl is dangerous out there right now. It’s killing people. But I thank the Mission – this program is tremendous. It helped me and made me a different person. It’s a brotherhood and a family here, and to see men grow when they come into the program and graduate is an amazing thing.”

International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31) leads into National Recovery Month, observed each September, when we can encourage our loved ones pursuing recovery and celebrate those who are walking in freedom from addiction.

If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out to the Market Street Mission (9 Market St, Morristown, NJ) at (973) 538-0431 or www.marketstreet.org; the Jersey Shore Rescue Mission (701 Memorial Dr, Asbury Park, NJ) at (732) 988-0242 or www.jsrescue.org; or the Market Street Mission – Sussex County (274 Spring St, Newton, NJ) at (973) 538-5854 or www.marketstreet.org/sussex. Programs are completely free.

The Market Street Mission is an experienced organization with a proven method of helping to fight alcoholism, substance abuse, hunger, and homelessness in northern and central New Jersey. As a registered 501(c)3 and 509(a)1 public charity, MSM relies  on the charitable support of compassionate donors to provide more than 140,000 meals and 44,000 nights of shelter per year across our three locations. For more information on our emergency services, free addiction recovery program, community counseling services and thrift store please visit us at www.marketstreet.org.