I would like to use this blog to congratulate one of PDFNJ’s longest-running partners on an important milestone. The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, which is the philanthropic arm of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, is celebrating 20 years of service to the state of New Jersey.
Over these 20 years, the Horizon Foundation has invested more than $75 million in programs to help New Jersey residents, including its partnership with PDFNJ. Horizon’s support has been vital to many PDFNJ programs that have provided substance use prevention resources and education to millions of New Jersey residents since 2004. Horizon was a long-time sponsor of PDFNJ’s 5th Grade Parent Alert, which helps to educate parents of soon-to-be middle schoolers on substance use and how to talk about it with their children.
Since 2017, PDFNJ and Horizon have collaborated to bring the Knock Out Opioid Abuse initiative to all 21 New Jersey counties. The program featured town hall meetings for every county and then was expanded to include continuing medical education for thousands of New Jersey prescribers, as well a public service campaign seen by millions.
Since 2022, Horizon and PDFNJ have partnered to bring opioid education to high school athletes throughout the state through a collaboration with the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Former Rutgers and NFL quarterback Ray Lucas has headlined this program by sharing his story of opioid addiction and recovery with thousands of students. The program will be held at several more high schools this upcoming school year.
PDFNJ is honored and excited to continue the Knock Out Opioid Abuse program with Horizon and looks forward to many more years of continued partnership helping New Jersey residents.