Angelo Valente, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey
Statement on Assembly Bill A1821
March 19, 2026

I am submitting this testimony on behalf of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey in strong support of A1821.

Research shows that people can become dependent on opioid-based pain relievers in as little as five days. Nearly 70,000 of our fellow Americans died of a drug overdose over the past year, including about 45,000 opioid-related overdoses, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Here in New Jersey, more than 1,300 families lost loved one to overdose last year. Preventing exposure to opioids—particularly for acute pain—is lifesaving, and it is more important than ever to eliminate the roadblocks to non-opioid alternatives.

I am encouraged that the nation, and New Jersey specifically have experienced a significant decline in drug overdose deaths in recent years. The 1,312 suspected drug overdoses in the state in 2025 represented the lowest total since 2014. Actions taken by the New Jersey’s governor’s office, the state legislature, prevention, treatment and recovery organizations and community support groups over the past decade have played a key role in this improvement. It has truly been a collaborative, non-partisan statewide effort.

New Jersey was also the first state to adopt a “Right to Know” law requiring medical professionals to discuss safer, non-opioid alternatives for pain management with patients. It has since been replicated in 23 other states.

While New Jersey is doing many of the right things to address this issue, we cannot rest until the number of overdoses is zero. Every overdose death changes the lives of a New Jersey family forever. Prevention, education, treatment access, and stigma reduction must all continue if we are going to keep moving in the right direction.

New Jersey residents must be aware of and have access to affordable, quality, non-opioid pain treatment. In many cases, physical therapy or one of the non-opioid prescription pain relievers now coming on the market may be appropriate. The fact remains: non-opioid pain relief can help prevent addiction and save lives.

As the National Opioid Commission has stated, “We have an enormous problem that is often not beginning on street corners; it is starting in doctors’ offices and hospitals in every state in our nation.” Drug overdoses remain the leading cause of accidental death in the United States.

A1821 will help ensure that non-opioid pain treatment is accessible, preventing New Jersey residents from going down the too-often deadly road to dependence and addiction. I respectfully urge you to support this important legislation and move it one step closer to passage.