Breaking the Stigma: Honoring Loved Ones & Saving Lives | International Overdose Awareness Day

Substance use disorder affects families, friends, and entire communities. In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Lauren Metzler, founder of Tevan's Tribe, and Jordan Keene to discuss International Overdose Awareness Day, breaking the stigma surrounding addiction, and the importance of compassion, recovery, and community support.The conversation also highlights two upcoming community events designed to honor loved ones, raise awareness, and connect people with valuable local resources.📅 International Overdose Awareness Day Community Event📍 RB&W Park, Downtown Rock Falls🗓 Sunday, August 31🕟 4:30–6:30 p.m.Enjoy food trucks, live music by Bobby White, community resource vendors, counseling and recovery organizations, and a special opportunity to write messages or the names of loved ones on a donated vehicle that will later be crushed as a symbol of breaking the stigma surrounding addiction.🏐 4th Annual Tevan's Tribe Blind Draw Sand Volleyball Tournament📍 Emerson's, Rock Falls🗓 Saturday, September 5🕗 Registration begins at 8 a.m. | Moment of Silence at 9 a.m.Open to players of all skill levels, this event features volleyball, family activities, silent auction items, food specials and a day dedicated to honoring loved ones while supporting Tevan's Tribe's mission. This year's tournament is especially meaningful as it falls on what would have been Tevan's 35th birthday.If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, this conversation is a reminder that help is available and no one has to face recovery alone.👉 Don’t forget to like, share, comment and subscribe for more local stories from the Sauk Valley and beyond.🎧 Listen to the full podcast and explore more at https://theradar.online🎤 Highlights:00:00 – Welcome to Along the Rock00:14 – What Is International Overdose Awareness Day?01:18 – Turning Loss Into a Mission02:08 – Breaking the Stigma Around Addiction03:29 – Understanding Substance Use Disorder04:49 – Compassion Over Judgment05:01 – International Overdose Awareness Day Event in Rock Falls05:39 – Remembering Loved Ones Through the Smash Car06:24 – Live Music & Community Resources06:46 – Fourth Annual Volleyball Tournament07:24 – Honoring a Brother and Mother Through Community08:18 – A Day of Remembrance and Celebration09:04 – You Are Not Alone09:52 – Creating a Welcoming Community10:36 – The Impact of Heaven's Tribe10:49 – How Narcan Helped Someone Get the Help They Needed12:27 – Honoring the Faces Behind the Statistics13:29 – The Biggest Message: Everyone Deserves Love14:16 – You Don't Have to Go Through Recovery Alone14:39 – Why Everyone Should Carry Narcan15:08 – Narcan Is for More Than Fentanyl Overdoses16:27 – One Boxes: Making Narcan Accessible17:25 – Free Narcan Can Save a Life17:46 – Thank You for Joining Us17:58 – ClosingCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Radar Free Press⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Follow us on all social media platforms below:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/radarfreepresshttps://www.youtube.com/@radarfreepresshttps://open.spotify.com/show/0dOeaVg1JI0ump4iD0rIHkhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/along-the-rock/id1773156790https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-along-the-rock-245007958/https://rumble.com/radarfreepresshttps://www.tiktok.com/@radarfreepresshttps://x.com/radarfreepresshttps://www.instagram.com/radarfreepress/https://www.threads.net/@radarfreepress #AlongTheRock #InternationalOverdoseAwarenessDay #OverdoseAwareness #HeavensTribe #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #EndTheStigma #BreakTheStigma #CarryNarcan #NarcanSavesLives #FentanylAwareness #SubstanceUseDisorder #RecoveryCommunity #RememberingLovedOnes #RockFallsIllinois #SaukValley #CommunitySupport #SaveALife