Blog
Tag:
-
The Dangers of Social Media for Today’s Young People
Today’s youth spend a lot of time on their mobile devices communicating through social media, which can be a complex and dangerous environment if left unsupervised. Parents and caregivers need to be aware and monitor what apps their children are using and who they are communicating with.
A recent news story explained that drug dealers are using social media, specifically Snapchat, to reach school-aged children. Snapchat is designed so that messages disappear after 24 hours, making it easier for someone to go undetected. Drug dealers are luring in young people by using a range of emojis symbolizing different types of drugs. I wanted to make you aware of what these symbols may mean and what to look out for.
-
Opioid Awareness Saves Lives
I am pleased to report that a new study has found that guidelines released by the CDC aimed at making opioid prescribing safer may have led to shorter prescriptions with lower doses.
These guidelines cite that doctors and clinicians who treat acute pain should prescribe opioids at the lowest effective dose and for no longer than three to seven days. After the guidelines were released, the length of prescriptions decreased 5 percent in the first year and 10 percent in the second year. The study also found that patients who filled an opioid prescription decreased from 12 percent in 2011 to 9 percent in 2017.
-
We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001
We remember, we grieve, and we honor those who lost their lives, those who rushed to rescue, those who fought for freedom, and those who carried on.
-
Back To School For New Jersey’s School Children
We are one week into September, and, as usual, the summer months always go by too quickly. I hope that you were able to enjoy them. This week, many of New Jersey’s children will be heading back into school. All of us at the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey wish the children, parents and caregivers a wonderful first day and year ahead.
-
PDFNJ’s Angel of Hope Gala Canceled
Over the last two decades, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey has been very fortunate to be supported by many New Jersey corporate and philanthropic organizations that have sponsored its bi-annual Angel of Hope Gala. This support has made it possible for the Partnership to continue to provide tens of thousands of school children, businesses, non-profit organizations and communities throughout New Jersey with free, life-saving programs and services to address the opioid crisis impacting so many and to prevent substance use, misuse and abuse.
-
Staying Vigilant & Raising Awareness in the Fight Against the Opioid Epidemic
Johnson & Johnson and three of the largest drug distributors recently reached a $26 billion settlement with several U.S. states over the companies’ role in fueling the opioid epidemic. While this is a certainly a step in the right direction, for many families, these companies have not done enough or even taken responsibility for misleading doctors and patients about the addictive power of opioids.
-
Opioid Education and Information is a Critical Component to Battling the Opioid Epidemic
A recent JAMA Network study has found that doctors who have stayed current on medical knowledge are less likely to overprescribe opioids for back pain. This finding demonstrates that having knowledge about opioids is likely to change behaviors to match evolving guidelines in regard to opioid prescribing.
-
The Importance of Family Time and Communication
Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with New Jersey 101.5 about the importance of talking to children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and why you should not to wait until the teen years to have these important conversations.
The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) has always stressed the important role parents and caregivers play in helping today’s young people make healthy decisions and preventing them from getting involved with substance abuse and misuse. PDFNJ emphasizes communication and family time as vital components to encouraging substance-free and healthy living. PDFNJ research has shown that parents who talk to their children for at least 15 minutes a day have children who are 67 percent less likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol.
-
Opioid Epidemic Demands Our Attention
In 2020, more than 3,000 people died of from a suspected drug overdose in New Jersey. International Overdose Awareness Day is coming up on August 31. Each year, this global event aims to raise awareness of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths and acknowledge the grief experienced by family and friends affected by this devastating illness.
-
Guest Blog: Artist Calls for 5th Annual Heroin & Opioid Art Exhibition
The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is proud to partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration – New Jersey Division and the Governor’s Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse on the Heroin and Opioid Art Exhibition. Our guest blogger this week, Kayelyn Dyson of the DEA – New Jersey Division, shares some more information about the exhibition.