Blog
-
SPECIAL EDITION - Safe Storage Is for Everyone
Safe storage is one of the simplest steps we can take to reduce risk at home, but it is not only about protecting young children. Medicines, household chemicals, cannabis and nicotine products, supplements and other everyday items can pose risks to people of all ages when they are stored or used incorrectly.
-
Be Part of Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day on October 6
Last year, 365 New Jersey residents aged 55 and older died of suspected overdoses, the highest number among all age groups. This is a reminder that older residents should always be included in conversations about the opioid crisis. That’s why we’re putting healthy aging at the center of the 11th annual Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day on Tuesday, October 6, and inviting communities across the state to join us throughout the month of October.
-
Safe Pain Relief Starts With Knowing Your Options
You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to know how much pain can disrupt your life. Backaches, migraines, arthritis and recovery from surgery can make everyday activities difficult. When you’re hurting, it’s worth asking: What are my options for relief?
-
8th Graders Don’t Understand Fentanyl is Lethal
We know how important it is for youth to understand how dangerous fentanyl is, as even just one use can be lethal. Many teenagers are not deliberately seeking fentanyl, but rather looking to alleviate their anxiety, depression or other mental health issues by getting their hands on Xanax or similar medications. Dealers will often lace illicit copies of these drugs with fentanyl to increase the high teens experience, thereby getting them addicted to the drug and becoming regular users.
-
Finding Hope: The Vital Role of Spirituality in Recovery
September is National Recovery Month and I am happy to have Mark Baldwin write a guest blog to share his personal story of how spirituality plays such an essential role in his recovery. We know for many individuals with a substance use disorder, faith-based ministers of all religious and spiritual traditions are often the first place individuals turn to for assistance. Faith based organizations throughout state also support so many by hosting various recovery meetings, and there is growing research on the need to incorporate a spiritual dimension into the recovery process. Mark’s story proves the point.
-
Your Brain Is Your Greatest Asset
Earlier this year, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey hosted the NJ Healthy Aging Summit on Opioid Safety & Alternatives to examine the health and safety issues affecting older adults and those who care for them. The event reinforced that aging well involves more than managing medications and addressing physical health. Supporting cognitive health is also essential to maintaining independence and quality of life.
-
Ongoing Effort Needed to Address Kratom-Derived Opioids
A blog I posted last month noted that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is considering a proposal to reschedule certain kratom-derived opioids. Kratom is produced from the dried leaves of a Southeast Asian tree, and is being sold at gas stations and convenience stores. To shed further light on this disturbing development, I encourage you to read this essay, “It’s an Opioid: My Patients Are Becoming Addict to This Supplement,” written by Andrew Kolodny, Medical Director of the Opioid Policy Research Collaborative at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management. We at PDFNJ have been fortunate to collaborate with Dr. Kolodny in addressing the opioid crisis.
-
Free Resource Distribution for Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day
As you may be aware, October 6 is Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day throughout New Jersey and I hope you can join us to be part of the initiative!
To make it easier for you to participate, PDFNJ will host two Free Resource Distribution Days where you can pick up complimentary educational materials to use in your local outreach efforts.
-
New Study Highlights Medication Safety After Hospital Discharge
For many older adults and their families, leaving the hospital can feel like the finish line after a difficult health scare. But the days and weeks after discharge can be a vulnerable time, especially when new medications are added.
-
Why Healthy Aging Must Include Opioid Safety
Healthy aging is so much more than just staying active or eating well. It's also having the right information, support, and resources to help you make safe choices, especially when it comes to managing pain and medications.