FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 5, 2019

Contacts: Nicolette Nappi, 973-382-4560, nicolette@drugfreenj.org

Winners Announced in Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s Online Family Fishing Tournament

MILLBURN — The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey announced five winners for its Fifth Annual Don’t Get Hooked on Drugs Online NJ Family Fishing Tournament.

Carl Cocozza and Vince Miranda of Atlantic County, Mike Mezak of Bergen County, Tim McHugh of Gloucester County, and Stephanie Osborne of Morris County were randomly selected as the winners of the competition. Each winner will receive a $100 gift card.

The tournament ran from July 19 to July 28 and encouraged families to head outdoors and spend the day fishing at a lake, river or ocean. This year, there were 23 photos submitted in the contest.

It is crucial for parents to frequently interact and engage in discussion with their children, as it can be a helpful factor in substance use prevention. Children who communicate regularly with their parents about their daily activities are 67 percent less likely to be involved in substance abuse than children who have little or no communication, according to research conducted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.

“The Don't Get Hooked on Drugs Online NJ Family Fishing Tournament gave families the perfect opportunity to initiate conversation and bond together over some summertime fun,” PDFNJ Executive Director Angelo Valente said.

Photos of all participants can be viewed on the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s Facebook (@DrugFreeNJ), Twitter (@DrugFreeNJ) and Instagram (@DrugFreeNJ) platforms.

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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 $100 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 180 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.