Blog
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Celebrating National Recovery Month
I want to take a moment to acknowledge all individuals who are in recovery, whether it is a celebration of decades, several years, a few months or even if this is your first day. Among the more than 22 million Americans on the road of recovery are members of our families, our friends, our neighbors and our co-workers.
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We Are One Month Away From Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day
The eighth annual Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day is coming up in just one month on October 6! The statewide initiative is a way for all of us to share information that can help save lives. Last year, thousands of New Jersey residents came together virtually through social and traditional media to share messages by sending an email to friends and family, posting on social media or handing out information in their school of community.
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Tomorrow is International Overdose Awareness Day
Please take a moment to remember all of those lost to overdose and the families, friends, and communities who mourn them.
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FTC Targets THC Products Resembling Snack Foods
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) working with the Federal Drug Administration (FTC) recently sent letters to six companies, including one from New Jersey, demanding they cease and desist in “their marketing of edible products containing Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in packaging that is almost identical to many snacks and candy children eat, including Doritos tortilla chips, Cheetos cheese-flavored snacks, and Nerds candy.” Delta-8 THC has psychoactive and intoxicating effects, similar to delta-9 THC (i.e., the component responsible for the “high” people may experience from using cannabis). Use of Delta-8 THC can result in hallucinations, vomiting, tremor, anxiety, dizziness, confusion and loss of consciousness.
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NJ Pharmacies Offering Overdose Antidote Free and Anonymously
We at the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey were uplifted to see the number of overdose deaths due to opioid use decline last year. Based on the data so far, that downward trend will continue for this year. Despite this good news, we fully recognize the loss of one life is tragic in itself. In an effort to address the crisis, the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched StopOverdoses.nj.gov, where residents can find pharmacies offering life-saving naloxone anonymously and at no cost.
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Zanetich v. Wal-Mart Stores East, Inc.
A brief summary of a New Jersey court case, with excerpts taken from PDFNJ’s quarterly update written by Stephen E. Trimboli, Esq., of Trimboli & Prusinowski, LLC. Mr. Trimboli represents business owners, non-profits and public bodies in labor and employment law matters and was the recipient of the 2019 PDFNJ Founder’s Award. Quarterly updates are sent to members of Don’t Drugs Work in NJ, PDFNJ’s free drug-free workplace program.
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In Memoriam - NJ Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver
The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey mourns the passing of New Jersey Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver. Lt. Governor Oliver was a trailblazing politician and outstanding role model.
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Opioid Settlement Funds
Over the last several months states and counties throughout the country have begun to receive opioid settlement funds from companies that made, sold, or distributed opioid painkillers, like Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, and Walmart.
These results can be linked to litigation brought by families, many of whom lost a loved one to the opioid epidemic.
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Discussing the Opioid and Fentanyl Epidemic
Last year the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey kicked off the Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series with a webinar hosted by the award-winning author of “Dreamland: True Tales of America’s Opiate Epidemic”.
Sam has recently spoken out about the fentanyl crisis in the United States and the role played by Mexico in addressing the problem.
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Safe Prescribing, Opioid Alternatives, & Education
Last week Meet the Press had a segment about the country’s fentanyl crisis. Last year over 100,000 American families lost a loved one to this tragic epidemic.
One of the featured guests on Meet the Press was Dr. Andrew Kolodny, a founder of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing, and the 2018 recipient of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s Angel Of Hope Award. The Partnership recognized Dr. Kolodny for his unwavering support of our opioid prescriber education efforts. He has also been a crucial advisor to our chair, Elaine Pozycki. It is Elaine's goal that all prescribers have a conversation with a patient (or a minor patient's parent or guardian) warning them of the addictive potential of prescribed opioids and discussing opioid alternatives where possible.