Anti-Drug Campaign Alerts Parents to Dangerously High Heroin Purity

7/12/2011

Anti-Drug Campaign Alerts Parents to Dangerously High Heroin Purity

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

STATE – The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey announced the release of a multi-media public service campaign alerting parents in New Jersey about the rising purity and dangers of heroin.

The campaign “Everything’s Gone Up Since the 70s” was created in cooperation with the New Jersey Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Addiction Services.

“Heroin purity in New Jersey is at its highest levels in history,” said Angelo M. Valente, executive director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. “Parents need to talk to their children about this alarming and life threatening fact.”

Valente explained that heroin abuse often progresses from the misuse of prescription drugs, an epidemic that is fast becoming the gateway drug for many young New Jerseyans. Last year, Valente noted, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, reported there had been a 400 percent increase in substance abuse treatment admissions for people abusing prescription drugs and emergency room visits involving the misuse or abuse of prescription drugs have doubled over the past five years.

“Heroin and other opiate use amongst New Jersey’s youth has risen drastically over the last decade,” said John Hulick, acting Executive Director of the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, “a fact reinforced at hearings held by the State Commission on Investigation where experts recently testified prescription pills are easily accessible to teenagers, and a “gateway drug” to heroin.”

Hulick continued, “Gov, Christie has asked the Council to prepare a plan to address this deeply troubling trend which it is in the process of producing. Efforts like that of the Partnership for a Drug Free – New Jersey and the State Commission on Investigation are also to be applauded for bringing critical and much needed focus to heroin and other opiate use amongst New Jersey’s youth.”

Clear Channel Outdoor has become the lead sponsor of the “Everything’s Gone Up Since the 70s” campaign, donating space on their New Jersey digital billboard network throughout the summer.

“Channel Outdoor is pleased to continue to support The Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey by donating space for the Partnership’s programming on our digital billboard networks in New Jersey. The digital billboards enhance the visibility and profile of the Partnership’s initiatives which continue to greatly benefit the community,” said Rich Camisa, Digital Outdoor Network manager, New York Division of Clear Channel Outdoor Clear, noting, “the heroin awareness campaign marks the third consecutive year that Clear Channel Outdoor has supported the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey through donated advertising space.”

The campaign is also featured on New Jersey transit busses and PATH trains.

Read more: http://njtoday.net/2011/07/12/anti-drug-campaign-alerts-parents-to-dangerously-high-heroin-purity/#ixzz1RzkC0V23 
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