In the News

  • PDFNJ to Lead National Event to Raise Awareness of Prescription Drug Abuse in NJ

    Posted 10/9/2012

    On November 10, 2012, a historic and lifesaving event --- The American Medicine Chest Challenge(AMCC) --- a public health initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse will be held in communities throughout New Jersey.

  • PDFNJ Ex. Dir. Stresses Link Between Rx Abuse and Heroin Abuse at GCADA Taskforce Hearing in Camden

    Posted 10/2/2012

    In 2007, PDFNJ knew, that 70% of people who were abusing Rx drugs were obtaining them from the medicine cabinets of friends and relatives. At that point PDFNJ knew this important statistic had to be shared -- and we dedicated all of our resources to disseminating this important information to all NJ residents. PDFNJ created a simple message with an image of a Grandmother – alerting residents that there may be a "stash" of potentially life threatening substances in their medicine cabinets.

  • Ex-Johnson & Johnson CEO Burke dies

    Posted 10/1/2012

    James E. Burke, who as CEO steered Johnson & Johnson through the Tylenol poisonings that led to the first tamper-resistant packaging, died at 87 after a long illness.

  • NJ.com - People urged to safely purge prescription drugs

    Posted 9/27/2012

    The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration, will hold Operation Take Back New Jersey Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the American Medicine Chest Challenge will be held Nov. 10. Unwanted prescriptions can be dropped off anytime at the sheriff’s office.

  • Feds, N.J. officials unite to tackle prescription drug abuse 'epidemic'

    Posted 9/25/2012

    ...the initiative, which Fishman said is a collaborative effort that includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, the state Jersey Department of Education, and others, recommends five steps for each household in the state: Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicines in your home; secure your medicine chest; dispose of your unwanted medicine; take your medicines exactly as prescribed.; and talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

  • US Attorney’s Office Announces “The Right Prescription for New Jersey”

    Posted 9/24/2012

    The centerpiece of the initiative is a multi-media public service campaign designed to get the message out to New Jersey parents about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and steps they can take to protect their family.

  • NJ Expands “Project Medicine Drop” Program To Help Residents Safely Dispose Of Unwanted Drugs

    Posted 9/21/2012

    PARAMUS – New Jersey’s “Project Medicine Drop” project has added 20 new locations, giving it 27 in all with at least one in every county, Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs announced today.

  • PDFNJ Applauds Gov. Christie

    Posted 8/6/2012

    PDFNJ applauds Gov. Christie and the NJ legislature for their keen understanding of the complex issues of substance abuse and addiction. Through this legislation, which the Gov. spearheaded, thousands of lives will be saved, and thousands of families will have hope in this second chance provided to their children.

  • Colorado: 74% of Teens in Treatment Used Medical Marijuana

    Posted 6/29/2012

    Three-quarters of teenage patients in substance abuse treatment programs in Denver, Colorado said they used someone else’s medical marijuana, according to a new study.

  • Lacey teen wins $5,000 music contract in state competition

    Posted 6/19/2012

    Life has been pretty busy lately for 18-year-old Nickolas Alu. In recent weeks, he has won a $5,000 music contract in a songwriting contest, performed the prize-winning tune in Atlantic City and also graduated high school.