PASCACK VALLEY—Bipartisan legislation sponsored by State Sen. Holly Schepisi to designate July 14 of each year as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day is now signed and in effect.
“The signing of this legislation marks an important milestone in the fight against Fentanyl poisoning in New Jersey. Far too many young Americans like Max Lenowitz have had their lives cut short because of Fentanyl poisoning. Max, who was born on July 14 and tragically lost his life on his 25th birthday, was a son, a brother, an athlete, and a friend to so many,” said Schepisi (R-39).
She said, “This epidemic has accounted for more than 75% of drug related deaths in New Jersey. With the official recognition of July 14 as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day we can help bring attention to available resources within our communities to prevent future deaths from occurring.”
Schepisi was among the many attending the celebration of life for Pascack Hills High School alumnus Lenowitz on Friday, July 14 at the Watermark in Asbury Park. (Also attending: former New Jersey Democratic Gov. Jim McGreevey.)
On July 14, 2022, Lenowitz, of Woodcliff Lake, left what his mother, Patrice Lenowitz, told Pascack Press last week was her firstborn son’s “beautiful, perfect, earthly body.”
She said, “It was his 25th birthday. He was meeting up with his closest friends to celebrate. Instead, he was a no-show for his own celebration. Max died of fentanyl poisoning. He was found with Xanax. Prescription Xanax is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Only this was not prescribed by a doctor. We don’t know where he got it from. But the Xanax was identified as counterfeit and contained a lethal dose of fentanyl.”
She said that with the support of Schepisi and Sen. Joe Vitale (D-Woodbridge Township), who sponsored this bill, on June 30 Senate Joint Resolution 128 passed through the full Legislature and was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy on July 14.
Patrice said, “This piece of legislation will raise awareness in the hopes that no other family will have to endure the agony of losing a child to fentanyl.”
(See “A mom warns on fentanyl poisoning,” Pascack Press, July 17, 2023.)
Patrice is a playwright, a founder of The Nurtured Parent, a former community educator at Center for Hope & Safety, and a founder of Children’s Justice Campaign.
On Facebook on July 16, she posted, “Why should this proclamation be important to you? Google the impact of fentanyl poisoning in the U.S. New Jersey’s top senators—led by Senator Holly Schepisi and her COS [chief of staff] Alyssa Dawson—have taken action to address a silent but deadly drug.”
She said, “Has your state begun to combat this life-ending epidemic? No? You may just be be the change maker your community needs.”
She said, “Understand this…A Cold War has been waged against our nation through fentanyl poisoning. Our precious children and loved ones are being targeted through street/recreational drugs. Don’t let you or a member of your family become a painful statistic like mine. Learn all you can about the infiltration of fentanyl in our communities, and take action to stop it from claiming any more lives.”
State resolution
Murphy’s office said, “Fentanyl has taken the lives of far too many New Jerseyans, leaving behind loved ones and entire communities to grieve these tragedies. I encourage everyone throughout our state to not only raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl on this annual day, but to help educate others and work to mitigate the harms of fentanyl every day of the year. Together we can and will work to save the lives of our fellow community members impacted by the national opioid crisis.”
His office said “fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is often taken on its own or laced in fake prescription pills, heroin, cocaine and other drugs, was involved in nearly 75% of drug overdose-related deaths in New Jersey in 2019 — a drastic increase from its involvement in less than 4% of drug-related deaths just seven years prior. This reflects a national trend of increased fentanyl-related deaths as well as overall opioid-related overdose deaths.”
Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day will take place annually on July 14. The governor will issue a proclamation each year to call on public officials and community members to observe the day with activities and programs that bring attention to this critical issue.
Murphy’s office said the annual day “will build upon the administration’s ongoing efforts alongside state and local partners to address the opioid crisis on behalf of New Jersey residents. Harm from fentanyl can be reduced through efforts like overdose prevention education, the distribution and use of naloxone, and access to substance use treatment.”
Fentanyl test strips have proven effective in testing drugs for the presence of fentanyl and are an essential tool in protecting against fentanyl overdose, said Murphy’s office. Last year, Murphy decriminalized these supplies; they are now available from Harm Reduction Centers and other key partners around New Jersey.
He also created a first-in-the-nation program, administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, to allow anyone 14 years and older in our state to obtain naloxone anonymously and for free at participating pharmacies.
Naloxone is a life-saving medicine that can reverse opioid overdoses — including overdoses from fentanyl — making it a key component of harm reduction efforts. Since the creation of the Naloxone365 initiative, over 25,000 naloxone kits have been distributed to more than 600 pharmacies throughout the state.
Other efforts include streamlining access to substance use disorder-related services through ReachNJ.
The New Jersey Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund Advisory Council continues to gather input from members of the public, experts, and other stakeholders on the best use of opioid settlement funds in order to help the many individuals, families, and communities impacted by the opioid crisis. The next public listening session is July 20.
According to Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, “New Jersey continues to experience a dramatic loss of life due to overdose, largely driven by illicit fentanyl. Overdose deaths are the leading cause of injury and represent more deaths every year than car crashes, suicides, and homicides combined. Every life lost is a preventable tragedy.”
She said, “At the New Jersey Department of Health, we are committed to fighting alongside all New Jersey residents to end this crisis.”
“Fentanyl-involved overdoses have tragically affected too many New Jersey families,” said Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman.
She said, “This Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day should serve as a reminder to those struggling with the illness of addiction that recovery is possible, and help is available through 1-844-REACH NJ help line, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
She added, “This awareness day should also serve as a reminder that anyone can save a life. Naloxone is safe, easy to use and effective in reversing overdoses – it’s also available free and anonymously at many New Jersey pharmacies.”
Sponsors include Senators Holly Schepisi and Joseph Vitale as well as Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips.