Adams County proclaims Aug. 31 Overdose Awareness Day, highlights Project CONNECTS outreach

Adams County commissioners on Tuesday proclaimed Aug. 31, 2026, as Overdose Awareness Day and highlighted the county health department's Project CONNECTS harm-reduction efforts.

Levon, identified in the meeting as deputy director of the Adams County Health Department, urged the board to treat addiction as a disease and to reduce stigma. "Addiction is a disease," Levon said, adding that families and communities bear the consequences. He told commissioners Project CONNECTS had distributed thousands of naloxone kits and conducted thousands of community interactions to provide overdose recognition, prevention, and response education. The proclamation text cited 4,798 naloxone kits distributed and 8,483 community interactions by Project CONNECTS. Levon emphasized that "anyone in our community can help by carrying naloxone."

Commissioner Baca and other board members thanked health department staff and community partners for prevention, treatment, and harm-reduction work. The board noted the proclamation is intended to remember lives lost, support survivors and responders, and encourage access to life-saving tools and services. Commissioners urged residents to consult the health department and Project CONNECTS for resources and naloxone availability. The board gathered for a group photo following the reading of the proclamation.