FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 29, 2025

Contacts: Lisa Batitto, news@drugfreenj.org

Ray Lucas Honored for Inspiring Advocacy and Recovery Leadership at Angel of Hope Gala

MILLBURN, NJ - Former NFL quarterback and recovery advocate Ray Lucas was honored with the Joseph (J.P.) Miele Lifetime Achievement Award at the 31st Annual Angel of Hope Gala, hosted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ). Held at Liberty House in Jersey City, the event celebrated Lucas's outstanding leadership in advancing opioid use prevention and recovery education throughout New Jersey.

"Ray Lucas is a force for change," said Elaine Pozycki, event co-chair and PDFNJ Board of Trustees member. "His courage to speak out, to connect with young people, and to use his platform for education and healing exemplifies the spirit of the Joseph Miele Award."

As a standout quarterback at Rutgers University and in the NFL, Lucas has turned his personal journey into a mission to save lives. As a leading voice in the Knock Out Opioid Abuse initiative supported by The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, he has visited high schools across the state, candidly sharing his battle with addiction and his path to recovery. His message resonates deeply with students, parents, and educators, highlighting the risks of prescription opioid misuse and the importance of informed decision-making.

“I’m incredibly honored to receive this award,” Lucas said. “My journey hasn’t been easy, but if sharing my story helps even one student make a better choice or ask for help, then it’s all worth it. We need to keep having these conversations because prevention starts with awareness, and awareness starts with truth.”

Lucas was recognized alongside corporate honorees PSE&G and the PSEG Foundation, who received the Angel of Hope Award for their commitment to public health and prevention initiatives, including the distribution of 35,000 educational coloring books promoting healthy choices to third-grade students statewide.

Together, the evening's honorees underscored the power of community, compassion, and leadership in addressing the opioid epidemic and building a healthier New Jersey.

For more information about the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and its programs, visit www.drugfreenj.org/gala or call 973-275-7985.

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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.