FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Religious Leaders Gather To Address NJ’s Opiate Abuse Epidemic

NEWARK – Tuning to a faith leader to help address substance abuse addiction in a loved one is often the first step for a family, and the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) is coordinating a free training to provide resources and information to those Faith Based leaders.

The Faith Based Do No Harm Symposium will be held on December 4, 2014 at the Newark Museum 49 Washington St, Newark, NJ 07102. There is no cost to register or attend. This symposium is sponsored by PDFNJ and the Drug-Enforcement Administration-New Jersey Division.

“Faith-based leaders and officials are valuable resources for those suffering from substance abuse – particularly during this epidemic of opiate abuse here in New Jersey, said Angelo M. Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ.

“This symposium is aimed at educating the religious community about this deadly epidemic and providing resources and information for them to assist the families in their congregations. Our objective is to better equip our religious community leaders to handle the opiate abuse epidemic in their congregations so we can save more lives,” said Valente

Topics to be addressed at the Do No Harm Symposium, will be current trends in substance abuse afflicting New Jersey families, the dynamic of addiction and how to prevent substance abuse, resources and information to assist those suffering from addiction, and key steps in supporting long term recovery.

“The opioid abuse problem is a plague currently threatening our communities locally and nationally. The Do No Harm symposium stressed that this is not a problem that can be solved by any one entity,” said Carl J. Kotowski, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA – New Jersey Division.

To register for the Do No Harm symposium, registrants can visit http://drugfreenj.org/faithbaseddonoharm/

###