Blog
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Keeping the Conversation Going: Talking to Teens About Marijuana This Winter Break
In New Jersey, the numbers are concerning. According to the 2021 New Jersey Student Health Survey, 17 percent of students had reported using marijuana in the past 30 days, and 3 person had tried it before age 13. As recreational cannabis becomes more accessible to adults in the state, teens face new risks. Their developing brains are particularly vulnerable, with marijuana potentially impairing memory, focus, and problem-solving skills. Regular use can even affect academic and athletic performance — and future opportunities.
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New Jersey Sees Significant Decline in Overdose Deaths in 2024
Through the first half of the year, there have been 1,681 suspected drug deaths — 30 percent lower than the same period last year and 38 percent lower than in 2022. Camden County has seen one of the most dramatic improvements, with overdose deaths down 38 percent compared to 2022. Essex and Atlantic counties have also shown substantial declines, bringing hope to regions that have historically faced some of the highest rates of overdose deaths in the state.
Thanks to efforts like the Opioid Right to Know law, improved access to naloxone (Narcan), public education campaigns and increased access to treatment, we’re starting to see meaningful change.
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Piscataway High School Senior Leads Life-Saving Opioid Awareness Effort
Piscataway High School senior Tanvi Narava is raising awareness about the dangers of opioid use and, in the process, inspiring others to join her mission for healthier communities. Tanvi’s efforts exemplify youth leadership and commitment to public health, making a substantial difference in the fight against the opioid epidemic.
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Happy Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all the things we are thankful for. I would like to take a moment to thank all of you for your continued support of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and wish you a healthy and safe Thanksgiving surrounded by family, friends and those who matter most.
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The Great American Smokeout – Thursday, November 21
I am using this blog to encourage individuals and organizations to participate in an important health initiative, The Great American Smokeout, which takes place tomorrow, November 21. While tremendous progress has been made to reduce the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine over the past few decades, it is clear more work needs to be done.
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A Spotlight on NJ's Harm Reduction Approach
This NJ Spotlight News story, “Recovery Services for People Not Ready or Able to Stop Using Drugs,” serves as a good example of the harm reduction approach being taken all over the state. The story starts with a woman, who was a victim of abuse, visiting a mobile van operated by Integrity House on the streets of Newark, and then goes on to explain how this new approach is serving those who may have a substance use disorder.
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Veterans Day
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the service to our country by our veterans and extend them a special thank you on Saturday, November 11, when the nation observes Veterans Day. We take this time to honor our veterans for their devotion, their willingness to serve and for the sacrifices they made for our country. This tradition is well over a hundred years old.
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Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Mental Health to Prevent Opioid Misuse
As Mental Health Awareness Month concludes, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges faced by veterans and others coping with PTSD from traumatic experiences. In a recent episode of the “Ones Ready” podcast, hosted by a team of U.S. Air Force Special Warfare operators, Dr. Tim Vermillion, a behavioral health expert with the Veterans Affairs Administration, offered valuable insights on managing mental health and building resilience in the face of stress and trauma. He emphasized how untreated mental health issues can severely affect quality of life.
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Free Opioid Abuse Toolkit: A Comprehensive Resource for NJ Communities
I had the honor of participating in the 72nd Annual Roy A. Bowers Conference, which took place yesterday, October 22, at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, NJ. I took part in a panel discussion titled "Opioid Epidemic and Impact in New Jersey - Partnerships and Innovations to Address Opioid Crisis," where we examined how partnerships and innovative approaches are reshaping efforts to combat opioid use in New Jersey and beyond.
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Social Media Changes Needed to Prevent Adolescent Opioid Overdoses
I am devoting this blog to the ongoing effort needed to prevent the use and misuse of opioids and other drugs by our kids, who all too often are getting access to them via social media, and more specifically, Snapchat. This insightful article, “Inside Snapchat’s Teen Opioid Crisis,” details heartbreaking stories of parents losing children to overdoses, as well as their courageous efforts to demand that Snapchat be held accountable.