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2025 was another busy year for the SOS Berks Opioid Coalition as our members worked together to reduce overdoses in Berks County. Below is a list of our top 10 events, activities and accomplishments for the year.
1. Published Two Issues of The Response Magazine
The 13th & 14th issues of The Response came out in February and July. Both included more articles than ever before in English and Spanish. Total print distribution for the year for both issues was 7,800. All issues of the magazine are also available to read online here.
2. Organized our 4th Recovery Simulation
This hands-on event demonstrates the challenges faced by people in early recovery from substance use disorder. About 50 people attended the event, which was held at EDI in March. Learn more.
3. Participated in Drug Take Back Day
For many years, SOS Berks has helped organize and promote Berks County’s Drug Take Back Day at the Reading Fightin’ Phils FirstEnergy Stadium, collecting unwanted medications for safe disposal and handing out medication safety information. More than 380 pounds of unused and expired medications were collected, including 32 pounds of controlled substances.
4. Continued our work with the Health to Go Vending Machine
Reading’s Health to Go Smart Vending Machine reached it’s one-year milestone in May. In it’s first year, the machine dispensed 5,860 free wellness and harm reduction items including: 310 boxes of Narcan, 2,196 hygiene kits and 1,010 wound care kits. Our SOS member Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz joined our Penn State College of Medicine partners to present information about the machine at the National Rx Drug Summit in Nashville in April. Learn more
5. Addressed inequities in treatment
For the 2nd year in a row, the SOS Berks Healthcare & Treatment Committee organized a luncheon for leaders in the Black community, inviting them to view a presentation and offer input into how to reduce overdose deaths among African Americans, who are more negatively impacted by overdose deaths, but less likely to seek treatment. Learn more.
6. Co-sponsored the 4th Annual Recovery Awareness Night
In July, SOS Berks and Berks Counseling Center co-sponsored Recovery Awareness Night at the Reading Fightin’ Phils. 16 recovery organizations helped plan the event, fund 600 free t-shirts, distribute 5,000 free tickets and setup tables before the game. Learn more
7. Recognized International Overdose Awareness Day
For the 2nd year, SOS Berks joined with the City of Reading to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day in August with a flag raising ceremony at City Park. About 40 people attended, including state, county and local officials who spoke, remembering those who had lost their lives to overdose in our community. Learn more.
8. Introduced a Healing & Remembrance Event
In August, SOS held it’s first Healing & Remembrance event for families that have lost a loved one to an overdose. The event took place at Alvernia University and featured a presentation by a certified grief education, a guided journaling activity and a grief movement session. Learn more.
9. Engaged people at the Oley Fair
For the 8th year, SOS Berks partnered with Friedens Lutheran Church Hope in Action to sponsor a booth at the Oley Fair. This year we gave out 230 medication disposal bags, 72 Narcan boxes and hundreds of informational handouts on prevention, treatment and recovery of substance use. We also had people fill out remembrance or inspirational messages on 125 paper butterflies.
10. Participated in community events
SOS Berks members provided information and resources at various community events. This included setting up tables at the Berks Pride Fest and Boyertown Oktoberfest, and handing out information and Narcan at Helping Harvest food pantry distribution sites.
