Blog
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Funding Cuts Threaten the Progress We Are Making on the Opioid Crisis
Several weeks ago, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey issued a news alert recognizing the great progress we have made, noting a 50 percent decrease in the number of overdose deaths in New Jersey since 2022. No one program or strategy can claim credit for all of this success. That progress is the result of a comprehensive effort on local, state and federal levels to raise awareness, engage in prevention and education, provide easier access to treatment and promote recovery.
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Call to Action to Regulate Kratom Derived Opioids
In previous blogs I have noted the dangers of kratom. The American Psychiatric Association notes that kratom contains opioids and has the potential for dependence and addiction, especially for those who use these products on a regular basis. There is good news to report as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is proposing temporarily placing four of these kratom-derived opioids (7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16) into the Schedule I category of controlled substances. This would be a good step forward in regulating these products.
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Prevention, Recovery and the Power of Drug-Free Communities
In a recent interview with Shore Local Newsmagazine, I had the opportunity to discuss the importance of prevention, recovery and community-based education in addressing substance use and addiction across New Jersey.
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EMT Uses Narcan to Reverse Overdose at Knicks Parade
We never know where or when an overdose might take place. That reality was recently demonstrated in New York City when fans celebrated the Knicks winning the NBA championship.
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Happy 250th Anniversary!
This Saturday we celebrate the Fourth of July. I hope that you are able to enjoy with family and friends.
All of us at the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey would like to thank our partners in the prevention, treatment, law enforcement, and medical communities for their focus on breaking the cycle of dependency.
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The Importance of Building Trust for Marginalized Communities in Recovery
As June is designated as Pride Month, I happy to have Aisling MacDonald and Layla Orlando of Garden State Equality write a guest blog for us. Established in 2004, Garden State Equality has played a leading role serving the needs of the LGBTQ+ community in New Jersey. I thank Aisling and Layla for sharing their thoughts on best practices for assisting those in recovery.
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Recovery High Schools Deserve Public Support
Former State Senator Ray Lesniak recently wrote an opinion piece about the lack of state funding for recovery high schools. Lesniak sponsored the legislation that initiated the opening of recovery high schools more than 10 years ago, and he is now calling for a restoration of state funding to support the three recovery high schools now operating throughout the state.
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How Simulation-Based Education is Transforming Substance Use Treatment in NJ
Today’s guest blog spotlights Rutgers Project ECHO’s Substance Use Disorder program, which is helping New Jersey providers strengthen their response to an increasingly complex substance use crisis. Through live, simulation-based training, participants observe realistic clinical scenarios, learn from multidisciplinary experts and gain practical skills they can bring back to their own work.
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Decline in Drug Overdoses Factor of Increasing U.S. Lifespan
A clear indication of our success in the opioid crisis is the rise in the U.S. average life expectancy. This recent article notes that an American born in 2024 can expect to live to 79 years of age, an increase over the past few years. Robert Anderson, the chief of the statistical analysis and surveillance branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that the decrease in COVID-19 mortality and drug overdose mortality “were the two main drivers" of the recent improvement. Data from the CDC shows that the drug overdose death rate decreased between 2022 and 2024, with the largest decrease, of 26 percent occurring from 2023 to 2024.
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Memorial Day - Honoring Those Who Served Our Country
In observance of Memorial Day this past Monday, I want to take a moment to honor the men and women who have served our country both during times of war and peacetime. Later this year, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The freedom we have experienced throughout our history was made possible because of so many who gave the ultimate sacrifice.