Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day to Be Recognized on October 6th

10/1/2020

Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day to Be Recognized on October 6th
Statewide Day of Prevention, Education and Awareness Designated by Governor Murphy


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2020
Contacts: Natalie Golub, 973-382-4560, natalie@drugfreenj.org

MILLBURN — Thousands of New Jersey residents will be coming together virtually to Knock Out Opioid Abuse on October 6, for the state’s 5th Annual Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day.

Designated as a permanent day of prevention education and awareness, Knock Opioid Abuse Day is designed to shine light on the opioid crisis impacting thousands of New Jersey residents and families. While in the past, up to 10,000 residents would blanket their community, workplace and schools with prevention and education resources, this year’s event will be held virtually, with residents across the state encouraged to share information and resources electronically via email or social media.

“The goal is to raise awareness of the link between prescribed opioids and heroin and fentanyl overdoses and deaths in our state, to reduce stigma and encourage support for those in recovery from substance use disorder,” explained Angelo M. Valente, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.

“Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day is a great opportunity to educate New Jersey residents and the community about the dangers associated with opioids,” Valente, said.  “I encourage all New Jerseyans to take a moment on October 6th and share a KOOAD message, that can help save a life.” Please visit the Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day toolkit for shareable messages.

In 2019, more than 3,000 people in New Jersey died of a drug overdose, a majority of which involved some form of opioid. The pandemic is making the disease of addiction even more dire with overdose deaths up 42 percent earlier this year.

In its fifth year, Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day in New Jersey, is a statewide project that is created by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ); 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, with help from partners across the state.

To learn more about all that Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day offers please visit www.knockoutday.drugfreenj.org

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Best known for its statewide substance use prevention 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 $100 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 180 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.