Phoenix House Leads Overdose Prevention Training + Vigil in BK for International Overdose Awareness Day

BROOKLYN, NY (09/01/2026) (readMedia)-- Yesterday, aka International Overdose Awareness Day 2026, Phoenix House of New York and Long Island hosted its annual overdose prevention workshop and candlelight vigil at the Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch, honoring those tragically lost to overdose, while connecting community members to life-saving resources to combat the ongoing crisis. In 2024, 2,192 residents died of overdose - including more than 500 Brooklynites - with Black and Latino New Yorkers dying at twice the rate of white New Yorkers, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

See attached photos of the event.

Serving residents across the borough, the BKCRC is based in Bedford Stuyvesant-Crown Heights, a neighborhood where the fatal overdose rate remains 31.9 per 100,000 residents, the 9th highest in New York City. Following the vigil, current clients and graduates of Phoenix House's recovery programs joined staff and community members for an afternoon of free activities, including an information and education fair, essential Narcan training sessions, and commemorative art activities.

"This International Overdose Awareness Day, we honor every New Yorker we've lost and recommit ourselves to the precious lives we can still save. At a time when federal health cuts threaten our community's wellness, slowing the overdose crisis demands not just remembrance, but also deeper resources and sustained action. For nearly 60 years, Phoenix House has stood with New Yorkers through every stage of recovery. We remain committed to meeting our community where they are with the education and tools to lead healthier lives, and support our neighbors in need," said Ann-Marie Foster, President & CEO of Phoenix House of New York & Long Island.

"Like the rest of our city, Brooklyn has felt the weight of the overdose crisis deeply. Phoenix House's Brooklyn Community Recovery Center is right in the heart of Bed- Stuy and Crown Heights, where residents still face the 9th highest overdose death rate citywide. That's why we show up in this community every single day, not just on days like today, but through consistent outreach, Narcan training, and holistic support. When neighbors know how to spot the signs of overdose and step in, they can save a life. Many thanks to the Brooklyn Public Library for helping us connect our neighbors to these critical resources," said Shaun Willis, Director, Recovery Services and Community Outreach, Phoenix House Brooklyn Community Recovery Center.

Assemblymember Emily Gallagher said, "Substance use disorders affect people across New York State from all walks of life. Overdose is a tragedy-and a policy failure. We know how to prevent it. People in the throws of a substance use crisis need support and treatment, not shame or stigma. At the state level, we can fund evidence-based harm reduction and treatment strategies, which are proven to reduce overdoses and save lives. This International Overdose Awareness Day, I remember our loved ones lost to substance use disorders and, as a member of the Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, commit to fighting to fund life-saving treatment in Albany."

"The progress we have made together to reduce overdose deaths in New York City shows us that change is possible. The lives we have lost remind us why we cannot stop. As we recognize International Overdose Awareness Day, I ask all New Yorkers to take a simple step that can save a life: carry naloxone just in case," said Dr. Jorge Petit, Executive Deputy Commissioner for Division of Mental Hygiene.

About Phoenix House: For nearly 60 years, Phoenix House New York and Long Island has helped thousands of people overcome substance and alcohol use in order to lead healthy, productive, and rewarding lives. Born as a model for integrated substance use treatment, Phoenix House has grown into a treatment network that offers short-term and long-term residential, intensive outpatient, and general outpatient treatment. Phoenix House also offers treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, clinical services, medication for addiction treatment, health and wellness goals, and vocational and educational support.

About Phoenix House - Brooklyn Community Recovery Center:

Since 1967, Phoenix House New York has helped thousands of people overcome substance use disorders in order to lead healthy, productive, and rewarding lives. The Phoenix House Brooklyn Community Recovery Center (BKCRC) is a peer-driven drug and alcohol addiction recovery support center created in collaboration with state and local community-based organizations. Located in the heart of Brooklyn, the center offers a comprehensive range of programs, including residential treatment, outpatient services, and recovery support tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. With a focus on community, empowerment, and personal growth, BKCRC supports individuals through every step of their recovery journey, fostering a safe and nurturing environment.

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