Testimony: New Jersey should invest generational opioid settlement funds in public health approach to drug use

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

Public health & civil rights leaders condemn Senate passage of fentanyl penalty upgrade bill (S-3325)

Earlier today, the New Jersey State Senate approved a bill upgrading fentanyl penalties (S-3325) by a vote of 32-0. This week, the Star-Ledger editorial board also opposed the bill, calling it “a return to the failed drug war.” Lawmakers previously received an open letter from 40+ public health, harm reduction, civil rights organizations warning that … Read more

40+ Public Health, Recovery, & Civil Rights Orgs Oppose New Harsh Fentanyl Penalties (S-3325)

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 increased … Read more

EMERGENT: Drug Supply Disruption in Camden, Burlington, Ocean, Cape May, & Gloucester Counties

On Thursday, April 27, the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey shut down a pain treatment practice in Cherry Hill that was serving 300-400 patients across Camden, Burlington, Ocean, Cape May, & Gloucester Counties.For anyone who uses secondhand prescription medicines in these counties (i.e., not directly from the pharmacy or a script in your … Read more

NJHRC applauds over-the-counter naloxone decision, calls for more affordable options

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 … Read more