For Immediate Release: Angela Conover, PDFNJ, conover@drugfreenj.org, 201-916-1030, 973-467-2100

Horizon Supports PDFNJ Efforts to Empower Parents to Prevent Opioid and Other Substance Misuse in Their Family

MILLBURN --- Deciding when and how to talk to your kids about drugs can be a big decision. Thanks to the support of the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, for the 17^th year, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) is able to provide parents information on how and when to have those conversations.

“As a parent you are your child’s strongest role model,” expalined Angelo M. Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ,  “Parents have the strongest role in preventing substance abuse and we are committed to empower parents by giving them the tools and resources they need to have life saving conversations with their children.” 

In an effort to aid parents, the “Fifth Grade Parent Alert” is offered, free of charge to all New Jersey parents of fifth grade students in the state, through a grant from the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. Over 35,000 parents across the state received the information.

According to Valente, the initiative informs parents about the need to begin or enhance conversations about substance misuse abuse and also vital prevention resources. “A recent study found that nearly one in three parents of New Jersey middle school students do not believe there is a link between painkillers prescribed for things like sports injuries and wisdom tooth removal and the rising use of heroin in New Jersey. The study also found that less than 50 percent of parents feel they are knowledgeable about heroin,” he explained.

Research has shown that parents who communicate openly about substance abuse have children who are far less likely to misuse drugs and alcohol, Valente explained.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (BCBSNJ) has, consistently for over two decades, been a corporate leader in supporting the efforts of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey to protect families and citizens across our state from substance misuse. The support of Horizon BCBSNJ has furthered the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s ability to share lifesaving education and awareness messages to all residents. Horizon BCBSNJ’s unyielding dedication to the residents of our state has been demonstrated with their hands-on efforts, and allocation of support to hundreds of New Jersey not-for-profits, including the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, as our state battles a life threatening opioid abuse epidemic.

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About the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey:

Best known for its statewide anti-drug advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication.  To date, more than $70 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception the Partnership has garnered 161 advertising and Public Relations Awards from National, Regional & Statewide Media Organizations.

About the Foundation:

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is committed to working alongside those who can help us improve our neighbors’ health, inform their health decisions and inspire them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. The Foundation’s funding pillars are Caring, Connecting and Creating. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is the sole member of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, both of which are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information please visit www.Horizonblue.com/Foundation  

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