HPW Coalition to host 5K Color Run to raise awareness for opioid crisis in Gainesville

Voleer Thomas
·2 min read

A run to raise awareness about substance misuse and funds to provide substance use prevention services for youths and adults will again be held in Gainesville.

The Alachua County Health Promotion and Wellness Coalition will host its 5th annual Run For Your Life 5K Color Run at 8 a.m. Sept. 24 at Depot Park, 874 SE Fourth St.

"It's gotten dramatically worse," said Amy Patrick, project coordinator for the HPW Coalition, regarding the opioid crisis. "We want to educate kids that drugs are a risk."

Between January and September 2022, there were 314 hospitalizations for drug overdoses in Alachua County. In 2021, 69% of drug overdose deaths in Alachua County were due to opioids, and in 2022, the total number of emergency medical responses to suspected drug overdoses, including opioids, in Alachua County was 1,451, according to FLHealthCharts.com.

The run will include breakfast for participants, a warm-up session and information about substance use such as Narcan demonstrations by the UF Health Florida Recovery Center.

Lakeyra Johnson, community event coordinator for the coalition, said she enjoyed the event last year.

"It's amazing to have community resources in one place," Johnson said. "This is a great experience and will help bring awareness to the opioid crisis. There will also be resources to promote overall wellness.

More: Drug abuse Town hall meeting in G'ville to deal with youth substance abuse on the heels of pandemic

The event will also feature a community fair with resources from local organizations and an activity area of games for kids.

Alachua County Health Promotion and Wellness Coalition will host its 5th annual 5K Color Run on Sun. Sept. 24 at Depot Park. (Courtesy of HPW Coalition) (Credit: Submitted photo)
Alachua County Health Promotion and Wellness Coalition will host its 5th annual 5K Color Run on Sun. Sept. 24 at Depot Park. (Courtesy of HPW Coalition) (Credit: Submitted photo)

At the end of the run, the coalition will announce raffle ticket winners and hand out medals.

Early bird registration will end Sept. 14, and groups of eight or more will receive a discount.

To register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2023/74087/run-for-your-life-5k.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Run for Your Life 5K Color Run to be held in Gainesville on Sept. 24.