FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 31, 2022

Contact: Natalie Golub, 973-382-4560, natalie@drugfreenj.org 

PDFNJ Honors International Overdose Awareness Day by Encouraging Participation in Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day

MILLBURN— The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day and remembers those lost to drug overdose, the majority of which involved an opioid. In honor of the day PDFNJ is encouraging all New Jersey residents to get involved and raise awareness about the dangers of opioids as part of this year’s Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day.

Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day is designed to shine light on the opioid crisis impacting thousands of New Jersey residents and families. In 2021, more than 3,000 people in New Jersey died of a drug overdose, and from January through June 2022 there have been 5,568 Naloxone administrations to reverse opioid overdoses and 1,626 suspected overdose deaths. Additionally, about 80 percent of people who use heroin first misused a prescription opioid.

“The way to prevent overdoses begins with raising awareness and educating people about the link between prescribed opioids and heroin and fentanyl overdoses deaths in New Jersey and throughout the country,” said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ. “As overdose deaths have soared during the pandemic, it is more important than ever than ever that we educate New Jersey residents about the dangers associated with opioids,”

In its seventh year, Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day in New Jersey is held each year on October 6, and is designated by Governor Murphy as a permanent day of prevention education and awareness. Knock Out Day is a statewide project that is created by 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 Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day, please visit http://knockoutday.drugfreenj.org/. Watch the Training Webinar for more details on how to get involved, visit the Toolkit for shareable messages, and sign up for this year’s Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series Webinar at 11 a.m. on October 6  where experts will outline the current state of the opioid crisis and prevention strategies that can be used in your community.

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Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey: 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 $200 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 211 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.