Blog
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Important New Legislation Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
I am pleased to report that Governor Murphy has signed new legislation addressing the opioid epidemic that continues to ravage our state. The six bills focus on overdose prevention and recovery resilience, while expanding access to medication assisted treatment, strengthening public health and building resiliency among children and families impacted by the crisis.
In 2020, more than 3,000 people died of a drug overdose in New Jersey.
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How You Can Help Fight the Opioid Epidemic
Last week, I had the opportunity to discuss in an article for Newsbreak the opioid epidemic and how the efforts of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey are helping to make progress to address this crisis that is plaguing our state and the nation.
In New Jersey, more than 3,000 people died of a drug overdose in 2020. That is 3,000 deaths too many, but a number that has held steady since 2019. The goal of PDFNJ is to prevent opioid addiction before it even starts and hopefully save lives.
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A Step in The Right Direction in the Vaping Epidemic
E-cigarette manufacturer Juul recently settled a lawsuit with the state of North Carolina, agreeing to pay the state $40 million and pledging to take action in preventing underage use and sales.
This first-of-its-kind case is just the beginning as nine other states have filed their own lawsuits against Juul. Additionally, 275 school boards across the country, including the Paterson and Freehold School districts in New Jersey, have filed a class action lawsuit against Juul for engaging in marketing that targets young people. They are looking to force Juul to cover the costs associated for extra substance abuse counselors, vaping detection devices and health education discouraging vaping.