Gov. Speaks to Reduce Drug Use

Speaking before the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Governor James E. McGreevey reaffirmed his administration’s efforts to reduce illicit drug use in New Jersey.

“My administration remains committed to helping those suffering from addiction,” said McGreevey. “We must expand access to treatment and support the prevention of substance abuse before it starts. Those using and abusing drugs and alcohol cannot quit by themselves. They need the help and support of friends, family and the community, as well as treatment programs.”

The Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, created in 1989 by an act of the New Jersey Legislature, works to unite communities in a coordinated and comprehensive prevention effort. The Council administers and monitors the Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. The Alliance, which includes 525 municipalities and over 3,800 programs, has earned national awards and was recognized by General McCaffrey, past Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy as “one of America’s best kept secrets."

“The challenges that drug and alcohol abuse create in our communities are serious,” said McGreevey. “But, they are far less daunting due to the work of the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.”

Funding for the Council and the Alliances is provided solely—with no tax dollars—by the Drug Enforcement Demand Reduction (DEDR) fund. The DEDR fund, established in 1989, comes from fines assessed to people convicted of drug offenses. The operation expenses of the council, as well as the grants for Municipal and County Alliance activities, are provided for by the DEDR fund. Furthermore, the work of the Council and Alliances are supported by the efforts of volunteers. In fact, New Jersey is one of only a handful of states that have been able to maintain a sustained volunteer effort to prevent alcoholism and drug abuse.

“The dedication of the people of New Jersey to these efforts is extraordinary,” said McGreevey. “Everyday, thousands of volunteers dedicate their time and energy to the largest anti-substance abuse community coalition effort in the United States.”

In addition to the work of the Council and Alliances, Governor McGreevey highlighted his administration’s efforts to improve drug education and prevention programs.

“The benefits of treatment for addiction have a profound effect not only on the individual, their friends and family- but also on society as a whole,” said McGreevey. “We need to provide children and adolescents the real facts about drug use and drug abuse…and we need to teach them how to make responsible decisions regarding their health.”

The total FY’03 Budget’s overall Division of Addiction Services spending is $62.2 million. This includes a whole host of programs such as Drug Court Initiatives, Community-Based Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention, Substance Abuse Treatment for DYFS/WorkFirst Mothers-Pilot Project, Delaney Hall Drug Treatment Program in Newark and Mutual Agreement Parole Rehabilitation Project for Substance Abusers. $3 million has also been earmarked for the South Jersey Initiative to provide a system of treatment for adolescents and young adults in New Jersey’s 8 southern counties.

Governor McGreevey also emphasized that the administration will continue to take an active role in supporting community-based after-school programs that provide children and adolescents with positive alternatives to drug use.

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Author: Paul Aronsohn