Prevention Pulse

1. Governor Sherrill Signs Kids’ Online Safety Package to Protect New Jersey Children and Support Youth Mental Health

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed three laws aimed at strengthening online protections for children, including new privacy and safety requirements for technology platforms and the creation of a state Social Media Research Center. The measures will also support research into addictive social media behaviors and potential warning labels, giving families, educators and policymakers new tools to address social media’s impact on youth well-being. (Source: New Jersey Governor’s Office)

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2. Trends in Emergency Department Visits Involving Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome Identified Using a New Diagnosis Code, United States, January 2023-May 2026

CDC researchers identified nearly 200,000 emergency department visits involving cannabis hyperemesis syndrome from January 2023 through May 2026, with the condition appearing most frequently among people ages 15 to 24. A new diagnostic code introduced in October 2025 has improved identification of the severe vomiting disorder and suggests its public health impact among frequent cannabis users may have previously been underestimated. (Source: CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

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3. Menthol Tobacco Product Use Among US Middle and High School Students, National Youth Tobacco Survey, 2023-2024

More than 500,000 U.S. middle and high school students used menthol tobacco products during 2023 and 2024, representing more than one in five students who currently used tobacco. CDC researchers found that youth using menthol products tended to begin tobacco use at younger ages and use more frequently, while menthol use was also more common among students reporting moderate to severe anxiety or depression. (Source: CDC Preventing Chronic Disease)

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4. Ocean County Launches Addiction Awareness Campaign

Ocean County is launching a monthlong substance misuse prevention and recovery campaign beginning Aug. 31 for International Overdose Awareness Day and continuing through September’s Recovery Month. The Ocean Goes Purple initiative will bring together schools, local governments, law enforcement, health care providers and community organizations to expand prevention education, reduce stigma and connect residents with treatment and recovery resources. (Source: Jersey Shore Online)

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5. Purple Flags at Belmar’s Doughboy Memorial Raise Awareness of Opioid Overdose Losses

Purple flags displayed at Belmar’s Doughboy Memorial are honoring people lost to opioid overdoses while drawing attention to the continuing impact of substance use on families and communities. The local observance is part of efforts surrounding International Overdose Awareness Day, using a visible community memorial to promote remembrance, awareness and support for people affected by the opioid crisis. (Source: TAPinto Belmar/Lake Como)

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