As October is drawing to a close, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of the New Jersey residents, businesses, community leaders that helped the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey raise awareness and shine a light on the opioid epidemic that continues to plague our state and the nation. Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day was held October 6, and I am thrilled that many people continued to share important messages about the dangers of prescribed opioids and their link to heroin and fentanyl, not just on the Knock Out Day, but all month long.

I wanted to share an article that ran in the Two River Times and some of the press coverage that was seen in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May and Sussex counties throughout the month. I also wanted to share some of the activity that took place through out the state, both virtually and through local events.

Thank you as well to our collaborating partners, The Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse; the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Addiction Services; and the Community Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Morris. We look forward to working with you on another great event next year.

Even though Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day is wrapping up for 2021, the Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series Webinars continue all year long. I hope that you can join PDFNJ 11 a.m. Thursday for the next webinar, “Childhood Trauma Part II: Substance Use and Adverse Childhood Experiences.”  Please click here to register.

Be Well.