Blog
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Guest Blog: Life Lessons During COVID-19
This week’s guest blogger, Donna DeStefano is the Founder and CEO of P.I.C.K. Awareness, (Parents In Connection for Kids Inc.) a non-profit organization that is a prevention, treatment and recovery resource for parents, children and professionals who are seeking information and strategies on substance use disorders, mental health, suicide and general wellness.
She shares some insights into navigating through our lives during this difficult time and explains some of the things she has been working on during the pandemic.
I also wanted to make you aware of an expansion to New Jersey’s prescription monitoring program that is streamlining the access for prescribers to access patients’ medical records and see their opioid prescription history instantly. Be sure to read more about it here.
All the best,
Angelo M. Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ -
New Jersey Shout Down Drugs Winners Share Their Insights into the Competition
In this week’s blog week we hear from two winners of the New Jersey Shout Down Drugs music competition, which challenges high school students to create their own original music and lyrics that showcase powerful substance abuse prevention messages.
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A Teacher and Students Share Their Experiences Taking Part in PDFNJ’s Middle School PSA Challenge
Throughout the month of August, we have turned our blog over to some of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) school-based initiative participants, so they can share their firsthand experiences with our programs.
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This Year’s Fourth Great Folder Contest Winners Share Their Insights into the Program
Throughout the month of August, we have turned our blog over to some of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) school-based initiative participants, so they can share their firsthand experiences with our programs.
Each year fourth grade students are challenged to create prevention artwork relating to the theme “Fun Things to Do Instead of Doing Drugs.” This week we are hearing from Channing Jervis of Secaucus and Wade Bullard of Lawrenceville, who were selected as co-winners of this years Fourth Grade folder contest. Their designs will be featured on folders that will be distributed to fourth grade classrooms throughout the state.
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A Teacher’s Perspective on the Third Grade Life Choices Coloring & Activity Book
Throughout the month of August, we have turned our blog over to some of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) school-based initiative participants, so they can share their firsthand experiences with our programs.
This week we are hearing from Nadine Galasso, a third-grade teacher from Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Union City. She shared her experience as an educator and the reactions from her students to PDFNJ’s Third Grade Life Choices Coloring & Activity Book that is made possible through a generous grant from the PSEG Foundation.
If you are interested in receiving the 2021 Third Grade Activity Book for your classroom, please be sure to fill out the online form today. Additionally, the 2020 Activity Book can also be immediately downloaded on our website as well.
Thank you and continue to stay safe and well.
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Silver Linings Story Participant Shares his Thoughts About the Program
Throughout the month of August, we have turned our blog over to some of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) school-based initiative participants, so they can share their firsthand experiences with our programs.
This week we are hearing from Adam Carbone, a student who just finished first grade at Washington Elementary School in Wyckoff. Adam shared with us his thoughts on our Silver Linings Stories Campaign that asked students to share positive stories, habits or rituals they have discovered during this time at home.
Thank you and continue to stay safe and well.
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Senator Bucco Calls to Establish Overdose Awareness Day in New Jersey
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing a rise in overdose deaths throughout New Jersey and the entire country. Overdose deaths are up 20 percent this year over the same time period in 2019. Due to this increased spike, Senator Anthony M. Bucco is calling to designate August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day in New Jersey on a local, county, and state level.
International Overdose Awareness Day, held August 31 each year, aims to raise awareness of overdoses and reduce the stigma of drug-related death. It is also a day to acknowledge the grief felt by family and friends, who remember loved ones that died or were permanently injured due to a drug overdose.
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New Legislation to Deter Substance Use Disorder Treatment Centers from Patient Brokering Passes NJ Assembly
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge throughout New Jersey and the nation, and unfortunately, the opioid crisis continues to grow more dire as well. Suspected overdoses are up 42 percent in May. Sadly, there have been individuals who have been exploiting those with substance use disorder for profit during these trying times.
Health care providers and insurance companies have been making efforts to better connect those who need treatment with the services they need. However, this has created an opportunity for fraud. Individuals, posing as recruiters, have profited by receiving commission or a fee for referring patients to facilities by using bribery, promising gifts, money, all-expense-paid travel, food and even drugs to potential patients. Thankfully, last week New Jersey passed legislation to combat this patient brokering fraud.
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The Importance of Emotional Wellness During COVID-19
This week’s guest blogger, Jamie Angelini, is the Director of Consumer Services at the Mental Health Association New Jersey. She provides important information on emotional wellness through the COVID-19 pandemic. This time of uncertainty coupled with isolation due to social distancing can cause stress, anxiety and depression. We welcome Jaime’s professional insights that she shares with us below.
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A New Synthetic Opioid Causing Major Concern
The opioid epidemic continues to rage throughout the country in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Isotonitazene (ISO), a new synthetic opioid more powerful than fentanyl, may be contributing to the addiction crisis and causing increasing overdose deaths in the United States. According to a new report, ISO is causing approximately 40-50 overdose deaths a month in 2020, compared with about six per month last summer.