February 2023 • Volume XXV

CADCA Update:

Celebrating the achievements of the Drug-Free Task Force

DFTF Coordinator, Wendy Sidebottom and Coalition Associate, Laura Talty graduate from the National Coalition Academy (NCA).

Representing NJ on Capitol Hill Day

Drug-Free Task Force accepting CADCAs Coalition of Excellence award. We made it to their Reels!

Jan. - Nov. 2022

Suspected Overdose Deaths: 16

Naloxone Administrations: 56

Opioid Prescriptions: 34,196

Source: NJ office of Attorney General (NJCARES)

The Edible Danger

The number of children who accidentally ate marijuana-laced "treats" has risen significantly in the past few years since legalization laws have been passed country-wide. As marijuana in the home becomes more commonplace, the importance of locking it up becomes the number one priority. Click here to read more on this topic.

NOPAIN Act Passes

On December 23, 2022, Congress passed the NOPAIN Act (H.R. 3259/S. 586) - Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation. This addressed outdated federal reimbursement policies that inadvertently incentivized prescribing opioids.

The NOPAIN Act will: • Expand patient and provider access to FDA approved non-opioid pain management approaches in all outpatient surgical settings beginning in 2025. • Require a report to Congress on limitations, gaps, barriers to access, or deficits in Medicare coverage or reimbursement for therapeutic services.

Click on the House or Senate bills above to learn more!

Member Spotlight: Ryan Neiber

This month we spotlight our Law Enforcement sector with Ryan Neiber. Ryan is a Lieutenant at the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office and has dedicated much of his professional career to the Narcotics Task Force. Click this link to learn more about Ryan.

Narcan in schools...

Why is it important?

In a prominent NJ town, only 30 miles away from Hunterdon County, students found their art teacher unconscious & unresponsive in the classroom. Narcan was administered by the SRO (school resource officer) after it was determined the teacher was exhibiting signs of an opioid overdose. The teacher survived thanks to Narcan and the quick response of staff. He is now facing multiple charges for putting students at even further risk. Check out why by clicking on this link.

If you are in need of Narcan, please contact Wendy Sidebottom

Tik Tok and Mental Health

The social media platform Tik Tok has received their fair share of bad press lately and headlines continue to showcase the application's negative impact on the mental health of our youth. "Congressman Mike Gallagher, recently called TikTok “digital fentanyl” for allegedly having a “corrosive impact of constant social media use, particularly on young men and women here in America.” Click here to read more about the concerns of health experts.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Marijuana Town Hall

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

7:00pm-8:30pm

Clinton Township Middle School

Click here to register

A Chef's Perspective

Making Plant Based Meals

Are you interested in making healthy changes in 2023? Consider participating in a cooking class focused on plant-based ingredients. Click this link for more information & to register for this 3-part series.

Drug-Free Task Force Upcoming Meetings

We plan to keep the hybrid format

Next Meeting:

Monday, March 13th

Monday, May 8th

11:30 for lunch at The Chamber

12:00 for Meeting (Zoom or in person)

www.njprevent.com/d rugfreetaskforce

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