“These funding grants are another important step in combating opioid misuse and abuse in New Jersey while strengthening our ability to positively impact the opioid crisis in our state by saving lives,” Gov. Christie said. “The disease of addiction is preventable through education and intervention.” The new funding will go to several initiatives of cials believe are vital to fully address the root causes of opioid addiction. Much of the new DOH funding will go toward increased data access and analysis, which will allow them to assess statewide policy and develop a strategic plan for the future. The DHS funding will allow of cials to focus on training key community stakeholders to be more aware of opioid abuse issues so they can increase prevention efforts. The funding will also provide for the purchase and distribution of naloxone kits, a chemical that can essentially reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in an emergency situation.
L.E.MORMILE / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
“THE DISEASE OF ADDICTION IS PREVENTABLE THROUGH EDUCATION AND INTERVENTION.” - Gov. Chris Christie
COMPLETE SYSTEM But state of cials know that simply throwing money at the problem won’t be enough to solve it. They say substance abuse prevention funding is critical, but will ultimately prove futile without a complete system of support and community education. Acting DHS Commissioner Elizabeth Connolly recently highlighted many of the key components of the state’s behavioral health infrastructure, saying she was proud of the steps the state has taken in recent years. “The state now has a Good Samaritan Law; has created a New Jersey-based suicide hotline; has initiated a one-stop addiction treatment referral hotline; and has expanded many services aimed at saving lives and promoting sustained recovery,” Commissioner Connolly said. In September, DHS of cials kicked off their “Doors to Recovery” campaign, a multimedia prevention and education program commemorating National Substance Abuse Recovery Month. In 2015, over 67,000 people were admitted to substance abuse treatment in the state of New Jersey. Heroin and other opiates were the primary drug for roughly 47 percent of all those admitted into treatment that year.
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