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Wear Purple Day in Sussex County
Wear Purple Day in Sussex County
Wear Purple on April 16, 2021 to Support Alcohol Awareness Month
April is Alcohol Awareness Month and an opportunity to raise awareness about the serious problems and harmful effects of alcohol abuse. The Sussex County Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Community and Youth Services and the Board of County Commissioners join the New Jersey Association of County Alliance Coordinators and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) in acknowledging the importance of alcohol awareness. It is proclaimed that April 16, 2021 is “Wear Purple Day” in recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month in Sussex County.
Purple was chosen by NCADD because it is a color similar to the violet variety of quartz named amethyst. The word amethyst is of Greek origin and means “without drunkenness.” In ancient times it was believed that anyone carrying this stone could not become intoxicated. By wearing purple, we acknowledge that many lives are affected by alcohol use and we support individuals who are impacted.
As we continue to follow safety precautions for the coronavirus pandemic, the Division of Community and Youth Services and Sussex County Municipal Alliance is encouraging individuals and groups to acknowledge the importance of Alcohol Awareness Month by wearing purple on the 16th of April. Pictures of participants wearing purple on this day to pledge their support are always welcome and appreciated. Pictures can be sent to Sussex County Municipal Alliance Coordinator Nick Loizzi at nloizzi@sussex.nj.us and will be posted on the Sussex County website.
Last year at this time, we suggested attending online recovery support meetings during the pandemic. We are happy to say that many people have found support at these meetings during these difficult times. Online meetings fill a need in the community for people who cannot attend in person for many reasons including transportation issues, childcare or other issues that may stand in the way. We hope virtual meetings will continue to serve the community as we wait for pandemic restrictions to be lifted across the state.
Websites that list both in-person and virtual meetings include:
The Sussex County Municipal Alliance Program is a volunteer driven committee dedicated to providing substance abuse prevention programs and activities within their communities. In the month of March, one of these activities was an online Hidden in Plain Sight program. This virtual presentation provided parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers and other adults an opportunity to explore a teenager’s bedroom to see and identify drug paraphernalia, hiding places and other signs that may indicate alcohol or other drug use by a teen. Throughout the event, prevention specialists and local law enforcement explained various Sussex County substance use trends, signs, symptoms and lingo in an effort to raise awareness about substance use and provide resources for parents and community members to help keep youth healthy and drug-free.
Other programs that the Municipal Alliance looks forward to continuing to support include Girls on the Run, Hero Boys, town days and Project Graduation. For more information about the Municipal Alliance in your community or to volunteer for one of the county committees that oversee the program, contact Nick Loizzi, Sussex County Municipal Alliance Coordinator and president of the New Jersey Association of County Alliance Coordinators, at (973) 940-5200, ext. 1383.
We look forward to receiving your pictures in April and working with you throughout the year to support health and wellness in Sussex County.
2020 Wear Purple Day in Sussex County
April 17th was Wear Purple Day in recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month in Sussex County.
The Sussex County Administrative Center
Center for Prevention & Counseling (via Zoom)
2019 Wear Purple Day in Sussex County
Stillwater Township
NJ Association of County Alliance Coordinators
The Sussex County Administrative Center
2018 Wear Purple Day in Sussex County
The Sussex County Department of Health and Human Services, Sussex County Municipal Alliances and the Board of Chosen Freeholders now join the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) and do hereby proclaim that April 2018 is Alcohol Awareness Month and declare April 13, 2018 as "Wear Purple Day" in Sussex County.
The Sussex County Administrative Center
Capitol Care
Center for Prevention & Counseling
Regional Coalition
High Point Regional High School
Ogdensburg Municipal Alliance Coordinator and a group from Mountain Lakes
2017 Wear Purple Day in Sussex County
The Sussex County Department of Human Services, Division of Community and Youth Services joined with the New Jersey Association of County Alliance Coordinators which represents the 21 County Municipal Alliance programs throughout New Jersey where they declared April 21, 2017 "Wear Purple Day" in recognition of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence's (NCADD) Alcohol Awareness Month. In response, the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders issued a proclamation at their meeting on April 12, 2017.
The Sussex County Administrative Center
Purple was chosen by NCADD because it is a color similar to the amethyst. According to NCADD, amethyst is the most beautiful and valuable form of Quartz. The word "amethyst" comes from the Greek, "without drunkenness" and in ancient times anyone carrying this stone could not become intoxicated. By wearing amethyst, a person announces that they know someone whose life has been improved through alcoholism treatment.
Center for Prevention & Counseling
Throughout the county, individuals and groups were encouraged to acknowledge the importance of alcohol awareness by wearing purple. Employees of Sussex County participated on the April 21, 2017.
Family Intervention Services
Family Intervention Services
According to Nick Loizzi, Sussex County Municipal Alliance Coordinator, "We recognize the struggle that people with alcoholism and their loved ones endure every day. The idea behind Wear Purple Day is our small way of acknowledging their struggle and showing our support."
Hopatcong Municipal Alliance
Each Municipal Alliance consists of members from the community it serves. They are volunteer-driven committees dedicated to providing substance abuse prevention programs and activities within their communities. If you would like more information about the Municipal Alliance in your community or to volunteer for your Municipal Alliance Committee or one of the county committees that oversee the program, contact Nick Loizzi, the Sussex County Municipal Alliance Coordinator at (973) 940-5200 ext. 1383.
