Sixth annual event honors those lost, celebrates recovery, and calls for evidence-based care
NEW YORK, October 25, 2025 — Hundreds will gather at Pier 76, Hudson River Park (408 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10018) for the Shatterproof Walk to End Addiction Stigma, a national event that brings families, friends, and advocates together to honor loved ones, celebrate recovery, and demand a stronger, more compassionate response to addiction.
Organized by the national nonprofit Shatterproof and supported by local companies and community leaders, the Walk is part of a six-city series that mobilized over 5,000 participants in 2024 and raised more than $1.5 million to transform how addiction is treated and understood.
Why It Matters
Drug overdose is now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18–44 — claiming more lives than car accidents, gun violence, or cancer combined. In New York State, nearly 5,500 overdose deaths were recorded in 2023, according to state health data. Even though almost 49 million Americans are living with a substance use disorder, only about 1 in 5 receive treatment.
One of the most significant barriers: stigma.
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57% of Americans believe people with substance use disorder aren't trustworthy.
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74% don't recognize addiction as a chronic medical illness.
This stigma forces families into silence and prevents people from seeking the evidence-based care that saves lives.
"Everybody knows someone impacted by addiction," said Pam Jenkins, CEO of Shatterproof. "It’s time we end the silence, stop the judgment and shame, and bring addiction out of the shadows. Shatterproof is here to convene the many people who have been impacted, as well as the many organizations making a difference locally. Overdose remains the number one killer of young and mid-life adults in the U.S. It impacts us all.”
By the Numbers: New York City
• 3,046 overdose deaths were recorded in New York City in 2023, a slight decline (–1%) from 2022 — but still among the highest totals on record.
• The overdose death rate was 44.0 per 100,000 residents, more than double the national average.
• Fentanyl was involved in 80% of all overdose deaths, continuing to drive the crisis across all five boroughs.
• Xylazine, a dangerous veterinary sedative, was found in 31% of opioid-involved deaths, up from 22% the year prior.
• Black and Latino New Yorkers, residents of very high-poverty neighborhoods, and adults ages 55–64 experienced the highest overdose rates.
(Source: NYC Department of Health, 2024 Data Brief #142: 'Unintentional Drug Poisoning (Overdose) Deaths in New York City, 2023')
Event Details
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Date/Time: Saturday, October 25 | Check-in 8:00 AM • Program begins 9:30 AM • Walk at 10:00 AM • Ends ~11:00 AM
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Location: Pier 76, Hudson River Park, 408 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10018
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Program Highlights:
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Emcee: Marci Hopkins, award-winning host of “Wake Up with Marci” and recovery advocate
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Barry’s Bootcamp instructors leading a high-energy warm-up
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Mission Honorees sharing personal stories of impact and recovery
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Opening ceremony, motivation moment, and step-off at 10:00 AM
Visuals & Interviews
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Visuals: NYC skyline backdrop, honor wall, photos of loved ones, opening ceremony, and large crowd step-off.
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Interviews: Pam Jenkins (CEO), Marci Hopkins (emcee), community advocates, and families impacted by addiction.
Media Logistics
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Best arrival time for media: 8:30 AM for pre-walk interviews and warm-up visuals.
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Parking & Directions: Limited parking nearby; public transit and rideshare strongly encouraged. Full details here.
On-site Media Contact: Holly Jespersen, Senior Communications Manager | hjespersen@shatterproof.org | 646-334-1024
ABOUT SHATTERPROOF
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the addiction treatment system in the U.S. Shatterproof guides families through the complexities of substance use disorder; informs the public on prevention, treatment, and recovery; and educates to reduce addiction stigma so people who use substances or have a substance use disorder can live healthy, fulfilled lives.
Find Shatterproof on Facebook, X, and YouTube: @ShatterproofHQ, on Instagram: @weareshatterproof.
Learn more at www.Shatterproof.org
