FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2023
Contacts: Lisa Batitto, news@drugfreenj.org

Letter to the Editor: Urgent Call for Education and Prevention to Combat the Rising Tide of Substance-Impaired Driving
 

By Angelo M. Valente, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey

The recent New York Times article shedding light on the surge in nighttime pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. underscores a critical and pressing issue: the dangers of driving under the influence of substances like opioids, marijuana, or alcohol. This trend endangers drivers and poses a significant threat to pedestrians and the broader community. As we face these escalating concerns about road safety, it becomes imperative to acknowledge and address the consequences of impaired driving.

Comprehensive education and prevention efforts are essential in addressing this growing problem. We must engage in robust public awareness campaigns that communicate the potential consequences of impaired driving. This involves reaching out to communities, schools, and workplaces to foster a deeper understanding of the risks associated with driving under the influence. To move forward, we need to take a look back at the successful comprehensive efforts of the 1980s that educated Americans about the dangers of drinking and driving and expand these initiatives to include the risks associated with driving under the influence of marijuana and opioids.

In conjunction with these educational initiatives, it's crucial to support policies that enhance road safety and reduce the incidence of substance-impaired driving. Our collective effort in this endeavor will save lives and contribute to our communities' well-being. Let us all commit to fostering a safer, more responsible driving culture.

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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 $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 226 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.