New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has announced a $100 million commitment to fight the opioid crisis in the state.
“Every day, the scourge of opioids is tearing apart our families and decimating communities throughout New Jersey,” Murphy said in a statement.
Of the $100 million, $56 million will go towards prevention, treatment and recovery. That includes better access to outpatient programs. Murphy said that will allow more people to have regular and consistent access to treatment.
Another $31 million will address social risk factors, such as unemployment and homelessness. Funding includes $12 million for supportive housing for high-risk families.
“We recognize that addiction is a treatable illness and with the right resources for prevention, treatment and recovery, we can help those struggling with the disease restore their lives,” Murphy said.
The plan also includes $13 million for infrastructure and data. Murphy said the money will help develop electronic health records to support connectivity among different types of providers.
“We must remove the stigma. We will not treat addicts like criminals. We will treat them as our brothers and sisters who need an outstretched hand,” Murphy said.
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