Last week, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) held a virtual ceremony to recognize all of the finalists in our Fourth Grade Folder Contest and their substance use prevention artwork with to the theme “Fun Things to do Instead of Doing Drugs.” More than 1,000 students from across New Jersey entered the contest this year, and we were thrilled to be able to showcase the work of 33 finalists. The virtual ceremony, held May 12, allowed parents and family members to view pre-recorded messages from the finalists as they explained the inspiration for their artwork.

Michael McCabe from James A. McDivitt School in Old Bridge and Nathan Tenev from St. Mary’s School in Vineland, were announced as the contest’s co-winners the end of the presentation. All of us at PDFNJ commend these winners, along with the finalists and participants, for their creativity and their peer-to-peer drug-free messages. The winners’ artwork will be featured on 40,000 folders that will be distributed to fourth grade classrooms throughout the state, and all of the finalists’ designs will be featured on posters.

I also want to remind you about tomorrow’s Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series Webinar, “The ALTO Program: Treating Pain without Opioids,” at 11 a.m. This webinar is presented by PDFNJ in conjunction with the Opioid Education Foundation of America, the Office of the New Jersey Coordinator of Addiction Responses and Enforcement Strategies (NJ CARES), and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. To register for this webinar, please click here.

Continued wishes to stay safe and well.