NJ A464

The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services must establish the "Heroin and Opioid Drug Public Education (HOPE) Initiative," a multicultural statewide public awareness campaign about heroin and opioid addiction dangers, causes, and responses.

The campaign must disseminate information through all media types including print, television, radio, internet, social media, billboards, and non-traditional formats like milk cartons and water bottles.

Required educational content includes pathways to addiction, warning signs, naloxone availability and use, substance abuse treatment benefits, medication-assisted therapy options, and information about civil/criminal immunity for those seeking help during overdoses.

The division must annually convene at least one focus group and conduct a household survey to gauge campaign effectiveness, with 120 days to refine the initiative based on findings and 180 days to report results to the Governor and Legislature.

The division may partner with pharmaceutical and health insurance companies to facilitate information dissemination, and must ensure materials are culturally and linguistically appropriate in multiple languages.