Blog

  • Tomorrow is International Overdose Awareness Day

    Posted 8/30/2023 by Angelo M. Valente

    Please take a moment to remember all of those lost to overdose and the families, friends, and communities who mourn them.

  • FTC Targets THC Products Resembling Snack Foods

    Posted 8/23/2023 by Angelo M. Valente

    The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) working with the Federal Drug Administration (FTC) recently sent letters to six companies, including one from New Jersey, demanding they cease and desist in “their marketing of edible products containing Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in packaging that is almost identical to many snacks and candy children eat, including Doritos tortilla chips, Cheetos cheese-flavored snacks, and Nerds candy.” Delta-8 THC has psychoactive and intoxicating effects, similar to delta-9 THC (i.e., the component responsible for the “high” people may experience from using cannabis). Use of Delta-8 THC can result in hallucinations, vomiting, tremor, anxiety, dizziness, confusion and loss of consciousness. 

  • NJ Pharmacies Offering Overdose Antidote Free and Anonymously

    Posted 8/16/2023 by Angelo M. Valente

    We at the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey were uplifted to see the number of overdose deaths due to opioid use decline last year. Based on the data so far, that downward trend will continue for this year. Despite this good news, we fully recognize the loss of one life is tragic in itself. In an effort to address the crisis, the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched StopOverdoses.nj.gov, where residents can find pharmacies offering life-saving naloxone anonymously and at no cost.

  • Zanetich v. Wal-Mart Stores East, Inc.

    Posted 8/9/2023 by Angelo M. Valente

    A brief summary of a New Jersey court case, with excerpts taken from PDFNJ’s quarterly update written by Stephen E. Trimboli, Esq., of Trimboli & Prusinowski, LLC. Mr. Trimboli represents business owners, non-profits and public bodies in labor and employment law matters and was the recipient of the 2019 PDFNJ Founder’s Award. Quarterly updates are sent to members of Don’t Drugs Work in NJ, PDFNJ’s free drug-free workplace program.

  • In Memoriam - NJ Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver

    Posted 8/2/2023 by Angelo M. Valente

    The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey mourns the passing of New Jersey Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver. Lt. Governor Oliver was a trailblazing politician and outstanding role model.

  • Opioid Settlement Funds

    Posted 7/26/2023 by Angelo M. Valente

    Over the last several months states and counties  throughout the country have begun to receive opioid settlement funds from companies that made, sold, or distributed opioid painkillers, like Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, and Walmart. 

     

    These results can be linked to litigation brought by families, many of whom lost a loved one to the opioid epidemic.

  • Discussing the Opioid and Fentanyl Epidemic

    Posted 7/19/2023 by Angelo M. Valente

    Last year the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey kicked off the Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series with a webinar hosted by the award-winning author of “Dreamland: True Tales of America’s Opiate Epidemic”.

     

    Sam has recently spoken out about the fentanyl crisis in the United States and the role played by Mexico in addressing the problem.

  • Safe Prescribing, Opioid Alternatives, & Education

    Posted 7/12/2023 by Angelo M. Valente

    Last week Meet the Press had a segment about the country’s fentanyl crisis. Last year over 100,000 American families lost a loved one to this tragic epidemic. 

     

    One of the featured guests on Meet the Press was Dr. Andrew Kolodny, a founder of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing, and the 2018 recipient of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s Angel Of Hope Award. The Partnership recognized Dr. Kolodny for his unwavering support of our opioid prescriber education efforts. He has also been a crucial advisor to  our chair, Elaine Pozycki. It is Elaine's goal that all prescribers have a conversation with a patient (or a minor patient's parent or guardian) warning them of the addictive potential of prescribed opioids and discussing opioid alternatives where possible.

  • Secure Your Medicine

    Posted 7/5/2023 by Angelo M. Valente

     Several weeks ago we lost our wonderful dog Rufus after 11 years as a cherished member of our family. It was disturbing to read this article about a dog that almost senselessly died because of exposure to heroin.

    The Amercian Medicine Chest Challenge outlines 5 steps to help protect families, including family pets, from the dangers of opioids.

  • Racial Inequality in Receipt of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

    Posted 6/28/2023 by Angelo M. Valente

    A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported on racial disparities in addiction treatment, including the new finding that White patients received medication for opioid use disorder (OUD) up to 80% more frequently than Black patients and up to 25% more frequently than Hispanic patients, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Dartmouth College.

Blog Updates

Enter your email address and we'll send you an email each time we post something new.