Blog
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Advocating for Appropriate Use of Opioid Settlement Funds
I encourage you to register for an upcoming webinar hosted by Fed Up, scheduled for June 24. The webinar will focus on the challenges with the potential misuse of opioid settlement funds, and how advocates are dealing with those challenges across the country. Fed Up is national coalition of families affected by the opioid crisis, as well as medical experts and other advocates in the field.
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New Jersey’s Overdose Deaths Drop - But the Work Isn’t Done
There’s encouraging news in New Jersey’s battle against the opioid crisis: the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner reported that overdose deaths dropped by 30% in 2024. That’s a major shift, outpacing the national average by more than 10%. Still, 1,813 lives were lost. This isn’t a victory. It’s progress and a call to keep pushing forward.
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PSE&G, PSEG Foundation & Ray Lucas Honored at PDFNJ Gala
I want to take a moment to thank our sponsors, benefactors and guests who all contributed to a memorable and successful Angel of Hope Gala, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s major fundraiser, which took place at the Liberty House in Jersey City on May 14. The gala's Doo Wop Extravaganza theme came to life through vibrant 1950s-inspired décor, cuisine, and a performance by The Doo Wop Project, creating an unforgettable atmosphere of celebration and community.
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Prevention Requires a Full, Coordinated Response
Creating healthy, drug-free communities takes more than good intentions; it takes a comprehensive, coordinated approach.
A recent story from Carter County, Kentucky, where $15,000 in opioid settlement funds were used to build an ice skating rink, raises important questions about how we define prevention and how we ensure these funds are used to truly address the opioid crisis. Read the full article
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Happy Memorial Day
Memorial Day is this coming Monday. I want to take a moment and honor those who have served or are actively serving our country today. We celebrate this long weekend because of the commitment to liberty & democracy made possible by the sacrifices of our armed services.
May their bravery forever be remembered.
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Guest Blog: Art’s Life-Changing Impact on Recovery: The Alchemy of Artistry
Today's guest blog, written by Lorraine Ferro, Artistic Director of Life Center Stage and award-winning artist, highlights the transformative power of the arts in recovery and substance use prevention. From groundbreaking theatrical productions to award-winning songwriting contests and documentary filmmaking, Life Center Stage has been at the forefront of using the arts to foster healing and social change. To learn more, visit LifeCenterStage.org
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Protecting Young Children from Opioid Poisonings: A Year-Round Commitment
A recent WHYY article highlights alarming findings from a New Jersey Poison Control Center study at Rutgers, revealing how young children are being exposed to opioids in unexpected ways. While unsecured medicine cabinets remain a primary source, the research also identifies lesser-known risks—pet medications, improperly discarded doses, and medications belonging to grandparents.
The study analyzed 230 cases of opioid ingestion in children aged 6 and younger in New Jersey between 2018 and 2022, including one fatality. The findings underscore the urgent need for increased education and prevention efforts.
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Naloxone Saving Lives but More Awareness Needed
A recent study on Naloxone Knowledge, Carrying, Purchase and Use from the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that 95 percent of individuals were at risk for an overdose knew what naloxone does how to obtain it. However, less than 50 percent of all those surveyed had heard of naloxone and were able to correctly identify its use.
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Knock Out Opioid Abuse Student Athlete Initiative Coming to Rowan University
I’m excited to share that we are continuing our impactful Knock Out Opioid Abuse student-athlete initiative at Rowan University in partnership with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).
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National Fentanyl Awareness Day 2025: Turning Awareness into Action
April 29 marks the fourth annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day, a nationwide effort to protect young lives from the deadly threat of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills. This day brings together schools, families, nonprofits, corporations, and government agencies to spotlight the hidden dangers of illicit fentanyl use.