Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Aligns with White House Youth Prevention Focus

10/7/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 7, 2024

Contacts: Lisa Batitto, news@drugfreenj.org

Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Aligns
with White House Youth Prevention Focus

MILLBURN, NJ – In a national call to action, President Joe Biden declared October 2024 National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts to protect America's youth from substance use.

This initiative, which focuses heavily on addressing the opioid crisis, mirrors the goals of New Jersey's Ninth Annual Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day, which took place Sunday, October 6. Led by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and thousands of volunteers, the statewide event unites communities to raise awareness of the opioid epidemic, providing critical information on the dangers of prescription opioids and their link to heroin and fentanyl.

In his proclamation, President Biden underscored the vital role of prevention in curbing substance use, particularly among young people, stating that "America's young people are the future of our nation." His administration has spearheaded a wide range of initiatives to support youth mental health, including a $1 billion investment to expand mental health services in schools and strengthen substance use prevention programs. By emphasizing the importance of evidence-based strategies, the president's plan aims to prevent substance use before it starts, especially in vulnerable youth populations.

Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day aligns with this national priority by providing New Jersey residents with the knowledge and tools to fight opioid misuse. The initiative offers comprehensive education on the risks of opioids, including the alarming rise of fentanyl, which has been a leading cause of overdose deaths in the state. In 2023, 2,564 suspected overdose deaths were reported in New Jersey, with the majority linked to opioids.

"Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day and National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month together provide a powerful opportunity for New Jersey communities to unite in addressing the opioid crisis," said Angelo M. Valente, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. "These initiatives reinforce each other by raising awareness, educating our youth, and empowering families to take action to prevent opioid misuse. By working together, we can protect our communities and provide young people with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive."

Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day is held in partnership with the Governor's Council on Substance Use Disorder, the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Community Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Morris. The state legislature unanimously passed legislation in 2017 designating October 6 as Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day, and Governor Phil Murphy signed the initiative into law.

For more information on KOOAD, visit knockoutday.drugfreenj.org.

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