PDFNJ’s Commitment to Opioid Awareness and Education More Important than Ever as Drug Overdose Deaths Surge

8/2/2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2020

Contact: Natalie Golub, 973-382-4560, natalie@drugfreenj.org

 

PDFNJ’s Commitment to Opioid Awareness and Education More Important than Ever as Drug Overdose Deaths Surge

MILLBURN— On October 6, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) will be hosting its sixth annual Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day in New Jersey, a day which has been designated by Governor Murphy and the state legislature as a permanent day of prevention education and awareness to shine light on the opioid epidemic and the addiction crisis in New Jersey and the nation.

Newly published data from the CDC reported 93,000 people died of a drug overdose in the United States in 2020, representing an increase of more than 30 percent from 2019. Opioids was the cause of majority of deaths with the number rising from 50,963 in 2019 to 67,710 in 2020. 

“These sobering statistics are a reminder that we must remain vigilant in the fight against the opioid epidemic.” said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. “We are more committed than ever to ensure that New Jerseyans are informed of the potential risks these drugs pose.”

Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day is organized by PDFNJ and held in collaboration with the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse; the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Addiction Services; and the Community Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Morris with help from partners across the state. The statewide initiative will be held virtually again this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic with thousands of New Jersey residents and businesses sharing information and resources electronically via email or social media. This event allows everyone to get the word out on opioid addiction and do their part in the fight against the opioid epidemic. 

“We urge all New Jersey residents to get involved in Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day this year,’ said Valente. “The goal is for the public to understand the danger that opioids pose, make the connection between prescription opioids and heroin and fentanyl overdose deaths in our state, as well as to reduce the stigma and encourage support for those in substance use disorder. “

To learn more about all that Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day visit http://knockoutday.drugfreenj.org/about.