I wanted to share some news about Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s (PDFNJ) latest Knock Out Opioid Abuse initiative focusing on educating student athletes of the dangers of prescription opioids. Sadly, student athletes have an elevated risk of opioid use as sports injuries send more than 2.6 million children to the emergency room every year. 

The initiative is a collaboration between PDFNJ, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), and will feature 10 events at high schools throughout the state in 2022. The mission of these events is to educate student athletes on the risks of prescription opioids and taking care of themselves physically and mentally.

Ray Lucas

Former NFL quarterback Ray Lucas is headlining the events and discussing his story of addiction and recovery. A Harrison native, Lucas starred at Rutgers University in the 1990s before enjoying a seven-year career in the NFL. Football took its toll on Lucas, who sustained numerous injuries and underwent more than a dozen surgeries during and after his playing career. He became dependent on prescription opioids, at times taking more than 1,400 pills a month. He has been open about his addiction and recovery in an effort to help others who have struggled with addiction and to prevent youth athletes from going down the path to addiction.

The first event was held virtually at Lakewood High School on February 15 and was a great success. The students had an engaging dialogue with Ray and came away with a better understand of the dangers associated with opioids. The next event is planned for the students of Sterling High School on March 29.  To learn more about the program and for resources on the opioid crisis, visit knockoutopioidabuse.drugfreenj.org.

Speaking of sports, in recognition of Women’s History Month and as a proud father, I wanted to take a moment and share some exciting news regarding my three daughters.

My youngest daughter, Marietta, will be attending High Point University in North Carolina in the fall as a member of the High Point Division 1 track and field team. My middle daughter, Mia is working in the front office at the Providence College Friars Men’s Basketball Team, which recently won the Big East regular-season title for the first time in school history. And my oldest daughter, Hannah, is finishing up law school at Elon University in North Carolina, and last week became the youngest NBA agent in the country at the age of 23.  When Hannah completes her law degree she plans to work in the field of sports law.

Be well.