NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) – An event dedicated to helping addicts change their lives around was held in New Bern on Tuesday.

Opioid addiction has impacted many communities throughout the country including Craven County. That is why The Craven County Opioid Epidemic Response held a resource fair on National Fentanyl Awareness Day to educate people on what’s available to help.

Eighty-three deaths were linked to opioid overdose in Craven County in 2022 according to Jasmine Canady, the Craven County Opioid Epidemic Response Outreach coordinator. Tuesday, organizations met at the Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern to bring awareness to those impacted by substance abuse.

There are programs and organizations available in the county to help people overcome addiction. That includes “The Hope Is Alive” and “NC Works”. Carra Harris was once an addict but she now helps others like herself.

Harris says, “I was broken and God decided there was something different for me and through a bunch of events, that happened within a week, I found Hope Is Alive and just dug into this program and it absolutely changed my life.”

The event was open to the public and welcomed everyone who is currently going through an addiction or those who wish to assist someone who is.