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Take the Civic Challenge Pledge and Win Tickets to Hamilton! Only 4 Days Left!
The Citizens Campaign, a NJ non-profit, is challenging all NJ residents to take the Civic Challenge Pledge today. Taking the Pledge and joining your fellow citizens in the Civic Challenge moves our communities and our country onto the powerful path of practical problem solving, getting us out of the rut of rigid ideology and blame game politics.
By clicking here to take the pledge by 11:59pm on Sunday, October 30th you will automatically be entered into a drawing to win two orchestra seats for the Tony award winning best musical, Hamilton. Now, more than ever, citizens throughout our state need to become involved in creating solutions for the communities we live and work in.
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Community in Crisis Launches New Website and PSA Campaign
I am pleased to share this week’s blog with Clodette Sabatelle member of the Board of Trustees of Community in Crisis, Liberty Corner, NJ.
By Clodette Sabatelle
Volunteers of the Community in Crisis movement announce the launch of their website, www.communityincrisis.org, a much anticipated and needed resource that provides impartial information surrounding addiction and mental health resources, support groups, latest news, tips and facts. The website is a culmination of two years of work and research, assimilating data and materials to present one central ‘go to’ for individuals and families in crisis, from advice for those struggling with their own or a loved one’s addiction to basic facts on the signs and symptoms of substance use disorder that every parent should know.
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Knock Out Opiate Abuse Day was a Success!
From Cumberland to Bergen and Sussex to Camden, the Knock Out Opiate Abuse Day message was received in communities and prescriber offices across the state today. Thanks to all of your efforts, we have taken significant steps to raise awareness about the opiate abuse epidemic impacting New Jersey.
Click the read more link to see photos sent to us from volunteers throughout New Jersey.
Thank you again for all of your efforts!
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Tomorrow is the Big Day!
Tomorrow is Knock Out Opiate Abuse Day in NJ. 2,000 volunteers in every corner of our state will be making history.
The newjerseyhills.com editorial below says it all. A meaningful tribute to each and every Knock Out Opiate Abuse Day volunteer.
…WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
EDITORIAL: It's time to knock it out
Opiate abuse may be the most under-publicized health epidemic facing our state and country.
The prevalence of addiction to pain-killers hits close to home, affecting many of your neighbors, friends and even family members across the Watchung Hills region. Just look at all the people lined up at the local Walgreens, CVS and other pharmacies.
So a group of concerned stakeholders is doing something about it. And they will have their voices heard loud and clear this week.
On Thursday in Long Hill Township, a team of volunteers will canvas local neighborhoods in a concerted effort to “Knock Out Opiate Abuse.”
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Volunteers to Make House Calls to Doctors About Opioids
As I have discussed many times in this blog; stemming the tide of the opiate abuse epidemic impacting New Jersey cannot be done without all members of the community. October 6, 2016 is the date designated as New Jersey’s Knock Out Opiate Abuse Day. Every single resident can get involved, help raise awareness, and make a difference. Be part of this statewide single-day initiative that will mobilize the prevention and treatment communities, community leaders, and concerned citizens and families to raise awareness of the potential for dependency on prescribed pain medicine and its link to heroin abuse rates in our state. Join with the 2,000 volunteers who have already signed-up to be part of New Jersey’s Knock Out Opiate Abuse Day.
Please share this with family and friends that would want to join this lifesaving effort.
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We STILL Need You!
Don’t forget to register and volunteer for Knock Out Opiate Abuse Day on October 6th!
As the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey continues its mission to prevent the abuse of opioids I have spoken to many parents, community leaders, and concerned residents who ask me a very similar question, “What can I do to help stop the spread of the opiate abuse epidemic?” Or, “I want to do something to get involved, what can I do?” These questions were, in part, a springboard for the launch of the statewide Knock Out Opiate Abuse Day.
On October 6, 2016 every resident of New Jersey, who has as little as one hour to spare, can help knock out opiate abuse in their community.
Volunteers will be provided with materials to share in their community; either by leaving an awareness message on the doorknobs of their neighbors’ homes, or by visiting a local prescriber to share a resource guide on safer prescribing and information for preventing and treating addiction.
Every one of us can make a difference by sharing information and raising awareness to prevent opiate abuse. No family or community is immune. I hope you consider volunteering to help make a difference on October 6th. Additional information is available on the Knock Out Opiate Abuse Day website.
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We Need You!
As the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey continues its mission to prevent the abuse of opioids I have spoken to many parents, community leaders, and concerned residents who ask me a very similar question, “What can I do to help stop the spread of the opiate abuse epidemic?” Or, “I want to do something to get involved, what can I do?” These questions were, in part, a springboard for the launch of the statewide Knock Out Opiate Abuse Day.
On October 6, 2016 every resident of New Jersey, who has as little as one hour to spare, can help knock out opiate abuse in their community.
Volunteers will be provided with materials to share in their community; either by leaving an awareness message on the doorknobs of their neighbors’ homes, or by visiting a local prescriber to share a resource guide on safer prescribing and information for preventing and treating addiction.
Every one of us can make a difference by sharing information and raising awareness to prevent opiate abuse. No family or community is immune. I hope you consider volunteering to help make a difference on October 6th. Additional information is available on the Knock Out Opiate Abuse Day website.
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Media Campaign to Combat Opiate Abuse Available for Your Community
In New Jersey alone, over 2.75 million prescriptions for highly addictive opioids were potentially prescribed– to children, friends, and family members, and unfortunately, many times without the benefit of any information of their addictive qualities being shared by their prescriber. The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey set out to address this issue with one key player in the fight against opiate abuse – PARENTS.
PDFNJ is making available to you, free of charge, the “Before They Prescribe - You Decide” campaign. This campaign is geared at educating parents on the link between prescribed prescription pain medicine and heroin abuse and encouraging and empowering them to speak to their doctor or dentist about the potential addictive qualities of pain medicine prescribed, as well as possible alternatives to opioids that are appropriate. Please access this campaign at DrugFreeNJ.org/BeforeTheyPrescribe, and utilize in your community. The materials and all content (including photos and artwork) should not be altered or used in any manner not authorized by us. We encourage you to bring this lifesaving message to your community.
How Can You Display these Messages in Your Community?
- Websites
- Posters
- Flyers
- School Resources
- Municipal Bill Inserts
- Movie Theater Previews
- Local Pharmacies
- Local Physician Offices
- Newspaper Ads
- Church Bulletins
- Electronic Billboards
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Today is International Overdose Awareness Day
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. With New Jersey in the midst of an opiate abuse epidemic, it is important to have an Overdose Action Plan. The Center for Addiction Recovery Education & Success (CARES) has developed lifesaving recommendations to follow if you suspect someone is overdosing:
- Call 911 and report observable behavior.
- Administer Rescue Breathing
- Administer Naloxone
- Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
Visit CaresNJ.org for information, resources, and training on how to administer naloxone.
Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the US, with 47,055 lethal drug overdoses in 2014. Opioid addiction is driving this epidemic, with 18,893 overdose deaths related to prescription pain relievers, and 10,574 overdose deaths related to heroin in 2014, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
No family is immune from this epidemic. Don’t let your family and friends become part of these statistics.
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Faith Leaders: First Responders to the Opiate Abuse Epidemic
Stemming the tide of the opiate abuse epidemic impacting New Jersey cannot be done without all members of the community, including our Faith Based Leaders. The National Prevention Strategy calls on community, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations to support the implementation and enforcement of alcohol and drug control policies. This includes educating youth and adults about the risks of prescription drug misuse and increasing awareness on the proper storage and disposal of prescription medications. Over the past two years, PDFNJ has help symposiums to educate the faith community on how it can become engaged as the often times, first responders for families impacted by addiction.
Next month, on September 20th, a Do No Harm symposium for the faith-based Community symposium will be held to empower the religious community in Middlesex County and our state with information and education on preventing opiate abuse, and helping those who are addicted: REGISTER HERE.