Earlier today, Governor Murphy pardoned or commuted the sentences of 33 residents, with the significant majority of pardons for non-violent drug-related offenses. Today’s pardons are the first by Governor Murphy and more are possible. Residents convicted of outdated, ineffective drug war violations are encouraged to apply for clemency through New Jersey’s Clemency Advisory Board. In … Read more
New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition (NJHRC) announced today that the organization is expanding its mail-based naloxone and harm reduction program. To manage the expansion, NJHRC is pleased to announce the hire of Sheilah Powell (she/her) as Manager of Mail-Based Services and Community Distribution.
Written Testimony to the New Jersey Opioid Settlement Advisory Council Dear Members of the New Jersey Opioid Settlement Advisory Council, It’s widely recognized that we won’t be able to arrest our way out of the overdose crisis and that drug use is a public health issue, not a criminal one. With opioid settlement funds, New … Read more
On Wednesday, public health, recovery, and racial justice organizations sent a letter to the Senate Budget Committee, along with legislative leadership and Governor Murphy, urging them to oppose Senate Bill 3325, which proposes harsh new penalties for fentanyl. The bill will be heard by the Senate Budget Committee at its hearing today at 1pm. “The … Read more
Yesterday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first ever over-the-counter form of naloxone. This approval applies only to the 4mg nasal spray manufactured by Emergent Biosolutions, which is significantly more expensive than other more affordable versions, including intramuscular naloxone. In response, New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition (NJHRC) released the following statement.Jenna Mellor, … Read more
Earlier today in New Jersey’s State of the State address, Governor Murphy announced the launch of Naloxone365. This new program will enable every pharmacy in New Jersey to provide 4mg nasal spray naloxone anonymously and for free to any resident who requests it, at any time throughout the year. When the Murphy Administration started the … Read more
Without access to harm reduction supplies, New Jerseyans who inject drugs are at risk of infection, hospitalization, and preventable death, according to a new report released today by New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition (NJHRC). The report, Preventable Harms: Injection Drug-Use Related Infections in New Jersey, reviews data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project and … Read more
Today on International Overdose Awareness Day, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Department of Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman, and Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli joined Vital Strategies and advocates from Newark Community Street Team and the New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition to unveil the first installation of a traveling national Overdose Memorial. Located at Newark … Read more
New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission is hosting public hearings on how revenue from the Social Equity Excise Fee should be used. Learn more about how to testify here, and check out talking points on equitable investments here. Below is testimony from New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition’s Jenna Mellor recommending how revenue from the cannabis Social Equity … Read more
Today, Governor Phil Murphy announced the nomination of Matthew Platkin to serve as the next Attorney General for New Jersey. The nomination of Mr. Platkin to be the highest-ranking law enforcement officer in the state comes at a time when New Jersey is perpetuating a punitive and costly drug war as it continues to experience … Read more
