FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 10, 2023
Contacts: Lisa Batitto, news@drugfreenj.org

Letter to the Editor
Veterans Day Reminder:
The Unseen Struggle with PTSD and Addiction

By Angelo M. Valente, Executive Dir.

As Veterans Day draws near, we are reminded to pay homage to the brave individuals who serve our nation. This solemn day calls for more than reflection; it demands an acknowledgment of the stark realities many veterans contend with post-service, especially the battles waged against mental health disorders and addiction.

Troubling figures from the Department of Veterans Affairs suggest that nearly 10% of veterans returning from combat zones like Iraq and Afghanistan grapple with substance misuse. These numbers cast light on a distressing trend of substance reliance among veterans, a pattern often set in motion by the harrowing experiences encountered during active duty.

Our duty as a nation is to recognize the issues veterans face.  On Veterans Day—and indeed every day—we must elevate our commitment to our veterans' mental well-being and rehabilitation. Advocacy for better access to mental health and addiction services is not just a gesture of gratitude but a necessary action to ensure that those who have served can reclaim the peace and stability they so richly deserve. Let this Veterans Day be a beacon of hope and a call to action, reaffirming our unwavering support for the brave souls who have served our country.

                                                                            ###

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 226 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.