The City of Irvington, N.J. is hosting an opioid awareness day on June 10.

The event aims to spread awareness about opioid use, and is part of a landmark $26 billion opioid settlement with pharmaceutical giant Johnson and Johnson and three distributors. Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss and the Irvington Municipal Council will host the day’s events which will feature a concert in front of Irvington Town Hall with KRS-One, Special Ed, Chubb Rock, Melissa Morgan, and John B.

Additionally, there will be activities for children and families, and social workers and counselors will be on hand for people in need of their services.

“The opioid crisis has devastated our community for far too long. Our people need help, and these funds will go a long way toward making sure they receive the treatment and support that they need,” Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss said in a press release.

In 2021, a federal court settlement of $26 billion was reached between 46 states, numerous tribal nations, and Johnson and Johnson, alongside pharmaceutical distributors McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen. As part of this settlement, New Jersey was allocated $641 million. The agreement was embraced by all 21 counties and 241 municipalities in the state, aiming to address the claims related to the involvement of pharmaceutical companies in the opioid crisis that has affected the nation. Tragically, the drug use resulted in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives in New Jersey last year, with tens of thousands seeking treatment for addiction.

Mayor Vauss said the event aims to bring the community together to address the issue head on.

“We are bringing these artists together to lift our community up, renew our commitment to end this opioid crisis, acknowledge those still in recovery and remember those we have lost."