Below is testimony from Felix Duprey, Harm Reduction Navigator at New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition, in support of parole reform bills S-5000/A-6206. To Members of the Legislature: I asked for help. The system threw me to the wolves. Pass S-5000/A-6206 to break this cycle. I was arrested for drug possession. When I stood in front … Read more
Trenton, New Jersey – On Wednesday, 35+ public health, recovery, housing, and civil rights organizations sent a letter to Senate President Scutari and Assembly Speaker Coughlin urging passage of S-5000/A-6206, which would reform New Jersey’s parole system to focus on public safety rather than non-criminal technical violations. “Too often, parole functions as a revolving door back … Read more
Public Health Leaders Applaud Senator Vitale for Clawing Back $45 million Meant for Harm Reduction Trenton, NJ – Earlier today, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee advanced Senate Bill 4792, legislation to restore money that lawmakers raided from the Opioid Settlement Fund in the FY26 budget. The June raid was a last-minute, back-room deal … Read more
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 Residents convicted of outdated, ineffective drug war violations are encouraged to apply for clemency through New Jersey’s Clemency Advisory Board.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
