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Piscataway Teen’s Candlelight Vigil Brings Overdose Awareness Home
A recent TAPinto Piscataway article highlighted the efforts of local teen activist Tanvi Narava, who organized a candlelight vigil at Columbus Park Extension on August 7 to mark International Overdose Awareness Day. Dozens of community members came together for the event, where Tanvi, a 2025 Piscataway High School graduate, planted 45 white flags to represent overdose deaths in the township from 2019 to 2024, along with 200 purple flags to symbolize the total overdoses during that time.
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Guest Blog: The Mission of the Parent Support Group of NJ
Today’s guest blog comes from the Parent Support Group of New Jersey. We know having multiple levels of support is so important for individuals with a substance use disorder. Parents of these individuals also need their own special kind of support. This not-for-profit organization started more than 30 years ago provides that support and also can greatly contribute to preventing a reoccurrence of substance misuse. I commend them for their fine work and encourage all readers to share this blog with parents in need of such support.
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Parents Need to Talk with Teens about Marijuana
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry addressed the potential harmful effects that can occur when teenagers experiment or use marijuana on a regular basis in this recent article. Some of the short-term effects include problems with memory and ability to focus, mental health issues and risky behaviors such as driving under the influence of marijuana or sexual activity. The long-term effects resulting from regular marijuana use include cannabis use disorder and cannabis-induced psychosis.
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Dogs are Best Friends in Recovery, Too
As September is National Recovery Month, I am happy to share a guest blog written by Rich Dwyer who has collaborated with the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey on number of issues over many years. He is a founding member of the Hudson County Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, now Partners in Prevention, and has supported many self-help and quality of life initiatives during his career.
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Aging Stronger, Safer, and Smarter: Join the NJ Healthy Aging Summit
Opioid safety has become one of the most urgent health issues facing older adults—and New Jersey is taking action. On Friday, September 26, PDFNJ’s “NJ Healthy Aging Summit: Opioid Safety & Alternatives” will bring together experts, caregivers, and community members at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free for New Jersey residents aged 55 and older.
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September is National Recovery Month
As this coming Monday, September 1, is the start of National Recovery Month, I offer my congratulations to all individuals who are celebrating their recovery, whether they have been in recovery for just a few days, a month or two, or for years. Every day of recovery is a good day. I also commend all friends of recovery and all those working in the field.
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Use of Veterinary Sedative Now a Growing U.S. Drug Trend
An important component in the ongoing effort to address the opioid crisis is being aware of developing drug trends. We have seen this when xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer known as “tranq” emerged several years ago in the illicit drug market. Now this article shows that medetomidine, a drug used by veterinarians to sedate cats and dogs but not approved by the FDA for human consumption, is finding its way into the hands of drug traffickers.
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"Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs" Program Continues to Thrive
An important prevention strategy for youth is ensuring they are engaging in structured, fun-filled, adult-supervised programming. Clearly, the Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs (HOFNOD) program serves as a good example. Research shows the benefits for mental health when young people are outdoors experiencing the beauty of nature instead of staying indoors and spending time on social media.
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Data Reinforces Need for Equity in Opioid Addiction Treatment
A recent STAT News article highlights troubling new findings: Black and Hispanic patients are significantly less likely to receive key medications for opioid addiction within six months of a substance use-related health event. Specifically, Black patients were 17.1% less likely, and Hispanic patients 16.2% less likely, to receive these treatments compared to white patients.
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National Night Out – Tuesday August 5
I want to encourage individuals and community agencies to participate in National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5. This annual event has taken place for decades to provide a friendly neighborhood environment for families to come out for a good time. It also provides residents the opportunity to strengthen relationships among neighbors, law enforcement and other groups and organizations interested in promoting the health and safety of their communities. Many municipal law enforcement officers will be hosting cookouts, block parties and other community-based events.