FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 1, 2025
Contacts: Lisa Batitto, news@drugfreenj.org

Knock Out Opioid Abuse Initiative Brings Powerful Message to High School
Student-Athletes
NFL Veteran Ray Lucas Shares Story of Recovery;
State and Health Leaders Emphasize Ongoing Efforts to Curb Opioid Misuse

Glassboro, NJ — High school student-athletes from across New Jersey gathered at Rowan University's Pfleeger Concert Hall on Tuesday for a Knock Out Opioid Abuse Town Hall focused on raising awareness about the dangers of prescription opioid misuse and promoting healthy decision-making among youth.

The Knock Out Opioid Abuse student-athlete initiative is a statewide effort led by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. It seeks to educate students, families, and communities about the risks of prescription opioids and the importance of prevention and support.

Former NFL and Rutgers University quarterback Ray Lucas shared his personal story of injury, addiction, and recovery with nearly 300 students from 15 different high schools across the state. Following an eight-year career in the NFL, Lucas became addicted to opioids, which had been prescribed to him to treat pain for injuries sustained throughout his career and several surgeries he underwent both during and after his playing days.

"My message is, I'm a survivor. If I can do it, anyone can do it," Lucas said. "Opioid addiction affects every single one of us; it doesn't matter your race, religion, where you’re form or how much money you make."

The event opened with remarks from Dr. James Bailey, Director of the Neuromusculoskeletal Institute at the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, who welcomed attendees to the university. Cheryl Ortiz, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New Jersey Division, outlined the growing threat of opioids, followed by First Assistant Attorney General Lyndsay Ruotolo, who discussed New Jersey's legal and policy strategies to address the crisis. Derek Jones, station manager at Rowan Radio and a play-by-play broadcaster for ESPN, served as master of ceremonies.

Dr. Eric Berman, Associate Chief Medical Officer at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, emphasized the challenges and progress in the fight against opioids.

"New Jersey is in the midst of an opioid epidemic," he said. "Last year, more than 1,800 people in the state died of a drug overdose. But according to recent data, overdose deaths have declined across all racial and ethnic groups between 2022 and 2023. Programs like today's are vital in helping continue that decline."

Closing remarks were delivered by Angelo Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ.

"Student-athletes are especially vulnerable to opioid misuse due to injury and the pressure to perform," Valente said. "Today's event was about empowering them with the knowledge and support to stay safe and healthy."

Supported through grants by Horizon's philanthropic arm, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, the Knock Out Opioid Abuse initiative has educated New Jersey residents since 2017. Since 2022, the program has focused on educating high school athletes. Lucas has shared his story at 16 high schools, as well as at Rutgers University in 2023. More than 8,000 student-athletes have attended the events.

For more information, visit KnockOutOpioidAbuse.DrugFreeNJ.org.

###

Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey: Best known for its statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $200 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 230 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.
 

About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey: Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state's oldest and largest health insurer is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health service corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, vision and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that reward the quality, not quantity, of care patients receive. Learn more at www.HorizonBlue.com. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving more than 3.4 million members.

About The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey: The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is committed to working alongside those who can help us improve our neighbors’ health, inform their health decisions and inspire them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. The Foundation’s funding pillars are Caring, Connecting and Creating. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is the sole member of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, both of which are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, please visit www.Horizonblue.com/Foundation

About the NJSIAA: Established in 1918, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) is a voluntary, non-profit organization comprised of 436 accredited public and non-public high schools. A member of the National Federation of State High School Associations, the NJSIAA conducts tournaments and crowns champions in 33 sports. Championship competition for girls is sponsored in basketball, bowling, cross country, fencing, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, outdoor track, winter track, volleyball, and wrestling. Boys’ championships are determined in baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, fencing, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, outdoor track, winter track, volleyball, and wrestling.