Press Release: For Immediate Release: September 3, 2014

Contact: Matt Scuteri, PDFNJ, 201-916-1032, matt@drugfreenj.org

Angela Conover, PDFNJ, 201-916-1030, conover@drugfreenj.org

4 Middlesex County Hospitals Come Together to Tackle Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic

Do No Harm Symposium to be held in Middlesex County Headlining National, State, and Local Leaders in Opiate Abuse Prevention and Education

NEW BRUNSWICK – Physicians in Middlesex and neighboring counties will have the opportunity to learn more about the prescription drug and heroin abuse epidemic in New Jersey and have the ability to discuss solutions.

The Do No Harm Symposium will feature expert speakers from law enforcement, the medical community, and treatment and prevention professionals. Among those scheduled to appear are Acting Director Steve C. Lee, the director of the New Jersey Office of Consumer Affairs, Dr. Sindy M. Paul, the medical director of the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners, Andrew E. Blustein, a partner and director at Garfunkel Wild, P.C., and representatives from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, and Raritan Bay Medical Center. Eric Scott, News Director from Townsquare Media and New Jersey 101.5 will moderate the event.

Angelo M. Valente, executive director of PDFNJ, explained, “with prescription drug abuse at catastrophic levels in our state, the Do No Harm symposium allowed leaders and stakeholders from the medical community and  law enforcement to come together to discuss solutions for prescription drug abuse in our state.”

Carl J. Kotowski, Special Agent in Charge of the New Jersey Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration said, “The prescription drug abuse problem is a plague currently threatening our communities locally and nationally.  The Do No Harm symposium stressed that this is not a problem that can be solved by any one entity.  There needs to be cooperation among law enforcement, prevention organizations, physicians and pharmacists to help tackle this issue.”

“Law enforcement and the medical community share in the responsibility to prevent the abuse of prescription pain medications,” said Middlesex County Proseuctor, Andrew C. Carey. “This important program will help to provide physicians with the tools necessary to minimize the potential for prescription pain medication abuse and addiction.”

Hospital Quote

The Do No Harm Symposium will take place at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital on October 1, 2014 from 11:30-3:00. Free CMEs are being provided to medical professionals in attendance. To register, please visit drugfreenj.org/donoharm.

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Best known for its statewide anti-drug 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 $50 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 over 46 Advertising and Public Relations Awards from National, Regional & Statewide Media Organizations.