As summer has come to a close and we have entered September, I just wanted to remind everyone that this month is National Recovery Month, which celebrates the gains made by those in recovery and aims to shed a light and educate Americans that those recovering from addiction can lead healthy and rewarding lives.

I am also pleased to learn this month that Governor Murphy announced New Jersey will provide naloxone, the opioid overdose antidote, free to residents from September 24-26 at participating pharmacies throughout the state. Residents can obtain free naloxone at 322 participating pharmacies without an appointment, no prescription or need to provide a name. 

During the pandemic, the opioid epidemic continues to rage throughout the state, and sadly, overdose deaths have been increased during this time as well. The free naloxone distribution will hopefully save lives.  Those who are given naloxone will be given information about the state’s addiction treatment helpline and can get immediate assistance and support.

 The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s  Knock Out Opioid Abuse webinar series has often addressed the importance of people having access to naloxone, and we commend Department of Human Services for this free distribution program.

One of the key components to helping to combat the terrible disease of addiction is making people aware of the dangers of opioid and substance use. At the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ), our mission is to prevent the people of New Jersey, especially youth, from engaging in substance use and misuse. 

With that in mind, PDFNJ is gearing up for Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day on October 6, which is a statewide initiative we organize with The Community Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Morris, in cooperation with the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day is about mobilizing the prevention and treatment communities, community leaders and concerned citizens to raise awareness of the potential for dependency of prescribed pain medicine and its link to heroin and fentanyl.

Be sure to visit the Knock Out Day website for valuable resources and to learn how you or your organization can get involved. Together, we hope to combat this crisis by raising awareness about prevention initiatives, the dangers of opioids, and offering support to those who need it.

Stay safe and well.