Walk raises funds, awareness to fight opioid crisis

People gathered at Jones Beach on Saturday for a 5K walk to to raise funds and awareness in the fight against the opioid crisis.
It marked the third annual Outreach-John Brower Jr. Foundation walk for the cause. The event honors the memory of John Brower Jr., who died in 2014 of an opioid overdose at age 25.
His family started the foundation in his name to raise awareness of substance abuse, and to raise funds in an effort to end the drug epidemic that has affected so many Long Islanders.
"Every day you hear about it, you read about it," says John Brower Sr. "We're trying to stand up -- we want to scream from the rooftops. Let's do something, it's a shame whats happening to our youth."
Money raised from Saturday's event will go toward the John Brower Jr. Foundation, Outreach and LICADD, the Long Island Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence. Organizers hoped to raise $40,000 for the three foundations.
About 400 people took part in Saturday's event.