In the News

  • Decline in Drug, Alcohol and Suicide Deaths Shows Progress Is Possible, But Prevention Efforts Must Continue

    Posted 6/17/2026

    MILLBURN, NJ — After years of devastating losses tied to substance use and suicide, new national data showing a decline in deaths offers a measure of hope. Prevention leaders say the progress is encouraging, but fragile, and must be met with continued investment in education, responsible prescribing, treatment and recovery support.

  • Webinar to Address Shifting Disparities in Opioid Overdose Prevention

    Posted 6/16/2026

    MILLBURN, NJ – The next webinar in the 2026 Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series will focus on the changing impact of the opioid epidemic across communities and the need for more equitable prevention, treatment and response strategies. The free session, titled “Achieving Racial & Ethnic Equity in Response to the Opioid Epidemic,” will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, and is presented by PDFNJ, the Office of Alternative and Community Responses, and the Opioid Education Foundation of America.

  • NJ Students Use Music to Deliver Impaired Driving Prevention Message

    Posted 6/15/2026

    MILLBURN NJ — New Jersey high school students used their voices, creativity and original music this year to help deliver a lifesaving prevention message about the dangers of impaired driving through PDFNJ’s 22nd Annual Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs New Jersey competition.

  • PDFNJ Announces Winners of 2026 Fun Things to Do Instead of Drugs

    Posted 6/11/2026

    MILLBURN, NJ—Audrey Lautan of Somerset and Suhaib Toor of Saddle River have been named co-winners of PDFNJ’s 2026 Fun Things to Do Instead of Drugs fourth grade bookmark contest.

  • Statewide Summit Focuses on Safer Pain Management & Healthy Aging for Older Adults

    Posted 6/9/2026

    ATLANTIC CITY — Hundreds of older adults, caregivers, healthcare professionals, social service providers, community leaders and advocates gathered Friday, June 5, for the 2nd Annual NJ Healthy Aging Summit on Opioid Safety & Alternatives at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino.

  • 2nd Annual NJ Healthy Aging Summit to Address Opioid Use Among Older Adults

    Posted 5/28/2026

    ATLANTIC CITY — The 2nd Annual NJ Healthy Aging Summit on Opioid Safety & Alternatives will be held on Friday, June 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino. Convened by the PDFNJ, the summit will highlight the risks associated with prescription opioid use among older adults while promoting evidence-based alternatives and resources that support healthy aging.

  • Webinar to Explore Public Health Risks of Counterfeit Pills

    Posted 4/22/2026

    MILLBURN, NJ – The next webinar in the 2026 Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series will focus on the growing dangers of counterfeit pills in a session titled “Public Health Risks of Counterfeit Pills.” The free session will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 23, and is presented by PDFNJ, the Office of Alternative and Community Responses, and the Opioid Education Foundation of America.

  • patch.com - Mercer Student Wins NJ's Shout Down Drugs Music Competition

    Posted 4/22/2026

    Chloé Cheng of Princeton Junction is the winner of the 22nd Annual Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs New Jersey music competition.

  • Princeton Junction Teen Named Winner of PDFNJ’s 22nd Annual Your Song! Your Voice! Contest

    Posted 4/17/2026

    PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ — Chloé Cheng of Princeton Junction, a junior at The Peddie School, has been named the winner of the 22nd Annual Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs New Jersey music competition.

  • 2026 Finalists Announced for Fun Things to Do Instead of Drugs Contest

    Posted 4/7/2026

    PDFNJ has announced the finalists for its 2026 Fun Things to Do Instead of Drugs fourth grade contest. The program highlights students’ artistic creativity and inspiring messages, and two student designs will be featured on bookmarks distributed to classrooms across New Jersey in 2026.