Governor Also Relaunches Reach NJ Public Service Initiative to Encourage Residents to Seek Help for Addiction
BAYVILLE – Recognizing the continued public health crisis of opioid addiction in our communities, Governor Phil Murphy today reiterated his Administration’s commitment to combating the opioid epidemic during a roundtable with individuals in recovery and health professionals at Ocean Mental Health Services in Bayville. Preliminary overdose death data for January 2020 show that suspected drug-related deaths have decreased 2.8 percent from December 2019, an overall downward trend since November 2019, resulting in 280 lives lost just last month.
“These numbers are a reminder we must stay vigilant in our work,” said Governor Murphy. “Each resident lost to the epidemic is a loved one gone too soon. This crisis requires us to pursue smart and compassionate policies laser-focused on solutions – increased availability of medication-assisted treatment, greater access to Naloxone, education and outreach to residents in need, and enhanced social supports for those on the path to and working to maintain their recovery, like housing and employment services.”
Read full round table summary here.
