Commissioners Proclaim Aug. 24, 2023, as Peace, Goodness and Kindness Day

Esther Basch, who survived the Auschwitz Death Camps during World War II, will visit Forsyth County on Wednesday, Aug. 23, to share her story and her love of people, spreading messages of love and perseverance.

To recognize Basch and her mission, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, as Peace, Goodness and Kindness Day at an Aug. 17 meeting.  

Rabbi Levi Mentz (pictured) of Congregation Beth Israel accepted the proclamation in Basch’s honor.

The Board of Commissioners urges all county residents to spread peace, do good deeds and be kind to one another, and to work together to create a more compassionate community and hopeful future for all.

Commissioners Proclaim Aug. 31, 2023, as Overdose Awareness Day

Drug overdose is the No. 1 cause of injury deaths in the nation, surpassing deaths from motor vehicle accidents or gun homicides with 109,680 attributed deaths in the United States, or 300 people per day during 2022.  

In Georgia, fatal overdoses have increased 127% in adolescents from 2019 to 2021. Deaths involving any opioid increased by 236%, deaths involving Fentanyl increased 800%, and the proportion of overdose deaths involving Fentanyl increased from 21% to 78%.  

To raise awareness about overdose to combat stigma and educate the community about overdose prevention, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, as Overdose Awareness Day at an Aug. 17 meeting.  

The Board of Commissioners urges all county residents to learn about this disease and support those who are affected by it.