In the News

  • PDFNJ’s Angel of Hope Gala Celebrates 30 Years of Collaboration

    Posted 5/17/2024

    MILLBURN, NJ —The United States has observed a decline in overdose fatalities, especially from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, according to preliminary data from the National Center for Health Statistics. NJ is also in line with this national trend, with state police and the Department of Health confirming a decrease in suspected overdose deaths from 3,054 in 2022 to 2,564 in 2023. This marks the third consecutive year of declining overdose deaths in the state.

  • thesandpaper.net - Barnegat Senior Wins ‘Shout Down Drugs’ Competition

    Posted 5/15/2024

    Barnegat High School senior Jordon Ford won first place in PDFNJ's Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs competition.

  • my9nj.com - Substance abuse in the Garden State [VIDEO]

    Posted 5/13/2024

    WWOR-TV/My9 will be honored at PDFNJ's 30th Angel of Hope Gala on May 15 at the Liberty House in Jersey City. They will receive the Angel of Hope Award for their efforts in raising awareness about the opioid crisis.

  • Essex County Students Emerge as Champions in PDFNJ's Fourth Grade Folder Contest

    Posted 5/10/2024

    MILLBURN, NJ— Adam Idrovo from Good Shepherd Academy in Nutley and Emily Ortiz from Lafayette Street School in Newark emerged as winners of PDFNJ's 2023-2024 Fourth Grade Folder Contest. Drawing entries from thousands of fourth graders throughout the state, the competition celebrated young students' creativity in promoting healthy, drug-free lifestyles through their artwork. The winners and the other finalists were honored at a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, May 9.

  • Hoboken Resident Ties for Third in Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs Competition

    Posted 5/10/2024

    HOBOKEN, NJ— Mikayla Monclova, a Grade 12 student at Hoboken Charter, tied for third place in the 20th Annual Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs competition, hosted by PDFNJ.

  • shorenewsnetwork.com - Barnegat High School Student Triumphs in Anti-Drug Music Competition

    Posted 5/10/2024

    Jordan Ford, a senior at Barnegat High School, won the top prize at the 20th Annual Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs competition.

  • Winners of the 2024 Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs Competition

    Posted 5/9/2024

    MILLBURN, NJ—Original songs from high school students from across New Jersey were broadcast in a virtual concert on May 8, which also served as the finale for the 20th Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs competition. Organized by PDFNJ, the competition highlighted the students' musical talents and dedication to a drug-free lifestyle. The concert attracted about 1,500 listeners who tuned in to support the young artists and listen to their inspiring lyrics.

  • Barnegat High School's Jordan Ford Wins Top Prize in Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs!

    Posted 5/9/2024

    BARNEGAT, NJ—Jordan Ford, a senior at Barnegat High School, clinched first place in the 20th Annual Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs competition, sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. Ford's winning entry, "Fading," captures the struggles of drug misuse through a deeply personal narrative, earning him a $5,000 music contract.

  • Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, PDFNJ and Empower Somerset Collaborate to Bring Opioid Education to Prescribers

    Posted 5/8/2024

    SOMERVILLE, NJ – The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office is increasing its commitment to fighting the statewide opioid epidemic by teaming with the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) to provide free opioid prescribing education to healthcare providers within the county. This program is being held in collaboration with Empower Somerset, the Somerset Operation Helping Hand (OHH) initiative and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset.

  • tapinto.net - Somerset County Prosecutor Steps Up Efforts to Combat Opioids

    Posted 5/8/2024

    The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office is enhancing its efforts to combat the opioid epidemic across the state by collaborating with the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey to offer complimentary opioid prescribing education to healthcare providers in the county.