New Jersey Department of Health Continues Efforts to Combat Overdose Epidemic

The Department of Health continues to implement initiatives to help reverse the tide of the opioid epidemic in the state.

image courtesy of unsplash.com

“Eight lives are lost each day to the overdose epidemic in New Jersey,” said Acting Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli. “We are committed to linking all those in need to treatment and services by engaging healthcare providers, harm reduction centers, local health officials and emergency care providers in the fight to save lives.”

The Department of Health is expanding its

“5 Minutes to Help”

training course for Emergency Medical Services staff to improve connections to care for non-fatal overdose victims. This program has already trained 75 first responders so they can effectively provide patients with information on recovery resources. Last week, the Department launched an online introduction course for EMS and law enforcement partners and will hold several in person trainings this year. First responders are on the front lines of this public health challenge, saving lives and serving as the first link to treatment and services. In 2019, EMS administered nearly 10,000 doses of naloxone.

The Department is also increasing access to naloxone. The Department’s Naloxone Standing Orders program allow pharmacists to dispense the opioid antidote without a prescription. In 2019, there was a 63 percent increase in participating pharmacists and a 30 percent increase in pharmacies.

To reduce dependence on opioids, the Department is working with hospital care providers to decrease opioid prescribing to treat chronic pain in emergency departments. Through the Opioid Reduction Option (ORO) program, 11 hospitals have enrolled in training. St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, which serves as a Gold Technical Partner, is sharing its best practices that have received national recognition in reducing opioid prescriptions in their emergency department. In 2019, 165 emergency department personnel were trained. This year, the Department, and its partner, the New Jersey Hospital Association, will hold another round of training to engage more hospitals in this effort. The goal of the ORO program is to ultimately reduce overall opioid prescribing in NJ’s emergency departments to 12 percent or less.

New Jersey’s seven Harm Reduction Centers continue to play a critical role in addressing the overdose epidemic. The Department is expanding services at these centers to support the health of individuals in active use. In addition to access to new syringes, overdose prevention education, naloxone, and HIV and Hepatitis C testing, center staff provide outreach, counseling and care coordination. In 2019, more than 3,100 residents were served at these centers located in Asbury Park, Atlantic City, Camden, Jersey City, Newark, Paterson and Trenton.

The Department will continue to improve data collection and analysis to better understand the status of the epidemic and employ better informed strategies for prevention of use, and reduction of deaths and recidivism. In 2019, the

NJ Overdose Data Dashboard

added data on viral hepatitis and neonatal abstinence syndrome. The dashboard provides statistics on overdose deaths, crime, naloxone administration, prescription monitoring, drug related hospital visits, and other important data to understand the population health impacts of the epidemic.

To help further facilitate data exchange, the Department is supporting efforts by behavioral health providers to implement electronic health records and connection to other health care providers through the New Jersey Health Information Network (NJHIN). Historically, substance use disorder providers have not had access to the resources they needed to maintain modern health record systems, and this technology gap has limited their access to timely health information. More than 120 providers are interested in participating and 50 have signed contracts with vendors to begin the process of moving to or upgrading their electronic health records systems.

The Department is also focused on addressing the overdose epidemic through a health equity lens. The growing impact on communities of color and geographic disparities will be covered in a series of health equity forums this Spring, which will culminate in the Fall Population Health summit.

The Department’s work is being supported by both state and federal funding.

UPPITY: THE WILLY T. RIBBS STORY (video)

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 8, 2020)

– Chassy Media announced today that

UPPITY: THE WILLY T. RIBBS STORY

, the incredible true story of Willy T. Ribbs, the first Black driver to win a Trans-Am race, test a Formula One car and race in the Indy 500, is now available for purchase at

Chassy.com

. The film is co-directed by podcaster and comedian Adam Carolla and Nate Adams (

THE 24 HOUR WAR and SHELBY AMERICAN: THE CARROLL SHELBY STORY

Willy T. Ribbs was the Jackie Robinson of auto-racing who shattered the color-barrier in the all-white sport. Willy was referred to as \”Uppity\” behind his back by mechanics and other racers. He overcame death-threats, unwarranted suspensions and engine sabotage to go after his dream. Ultimately, Willy beat the haters and became the first Black driver to win a Trans-Am race, test a Formula One car, and race in the Indy 500.

“Willy T. Ribbs is an extraordinary racer who overcame adversity throughout his career. Willy’s determined spirit and desire to prove his naysayers wrong serves as a beacon of light and hope that one should never give up on their dreams and to continue to fight regardless of what others think,” said co-directors Adam Carolla and Nate Adams. “We are thrilled to share his amazing story and are very excited for audiences to learn more about this incredible man!”

UPPITY: THE WILLY T. RIBBS STORY is produced by Adam Carolla, Nate Adams and Mike August and features interviews with Willy T. Ribbs, Paul Newman, Bernie Ecclestone, Dan Gurney, Bobby Unser, Al Unser Jr., Robby Unser, David Hobbs, Caitlyn Jenner, Wally Dallenbach Jr., and Humpy Wheeler.

ABOUT CHASSY MEDIA

Founded in 2014 by Adam Carolla and Nate Adams, Chassy Media is an award winning, one-stop-shop production company that specializes in feature films, premium documentary films, comedy specials, branded content, and much more. Whether it’s the story of the first Black driver to race the Indy 500, the real story of Ford v. Ferrari or a comedy special about the rags to riches tale of Adam Carolla. Chassy creates story-driven, character rich content that connects and resonates with audiences everywhere. Our skilled team of professionals, from producers to editors, works tirelessly with our partners in order to deliver the highest quality content that best suits their brand.

Camden County GOP Endorses Gustafson In CD1

Ambrosino awards Gustafson the line

HADDON HEIGHTS – Camden County Republican Chairman Rich Ambrosino awarded the county line to congressional candidate Claire Gustafson in CD1 today.

“Earlier this week Josh Duvall announced he ‘decided to drop out of the race’ in CD1,” Rich Ambrosino said. “While I wish his exit was more graceful this does mean there is no longer a reason to screen candidates in CD1 and avoids what could have been a costly primary.”

“I am happy to endorse Claire Gustafson for Congress in CD1.” Ambrosino continued, “Claire is the ultimate team player. She’s provided financial support to the party and our candidates. She has repeatedly stepped up for our party, she’s held local office, serves as the municipal chair in Collingswood and chairs Camden County’s Republican women organization. She’s fought the tough fights and knows what it takes to challenge South Jersey’s political machine and has a network in place to build a winning campaign organization.”

“Claire has left no doubt as to her support of President Trump or her conservative beliefs,” Ambrosino said. “The contrast between Donald Norcross and Claire Gustafson is crystal clear. I’m proud to have a candidate of Claire Gustafson’s caliber as our nominee and look forward to a spirited congressional campaign.”

GUEST OPINION: NRA-Defended Lawsuit Preserves Predator Hunting in Alaska

Brian McCombie/NRA-ILA

Great news for hunters in Alaska: Predator hunting, in accordance with Alaska law, can continue on the nearly 77 million acres of National Wildlife Refuge land in Alaska. And the National Rifle Association (NRA) helped make this happen.

Predator hunting was threatened, thanks to a federal lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), in CBD v. Bernhardt. The NRA and Safari Club International and others intervened as defendants in the lawsuit and argued against the CBD’s various claims against predator hunting on Refuge lands.

“This is an important victory for hunters and I’m proud NRA was an integral part of this litigation,” said Director of Hunting Policy for NRA-ILA Erica Rhoad. “Because of this case, states will continue to have the right to manage their wildlife as they deem appropriate.”

Hiking lead staff members of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service\’s Alaska Region to a large caribou herd in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Image by Danielle Brigida, USFWS.)

According to Associate Litigation Counsel for NRA-ILA Michael Jean, the genesis of the lawsuit goes back to August 2016, when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the U.S. Department of The Interior (DOI), promulgated a rule that limited predator hunting—hunting that was otherwise authorized by state law—on National Wildlife Refuge land in Alaska. As reported by this NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum website,

“not only did the Obama Administration’s blatant overreach counter America’s lauded state-based wildlife conservation

practices. It was also at odds with Alaska’s constitutional mandate to manage its fish and wildlife under the principles of sustained yield. Just as important, the difference between Alaska and other states is that many Alaskans subsistence-hunt for survival.”

However,

in accordance with the Congressional Review Act, as reported by NRAHLF.org, the DOI submitted that rule to Congress

. Then, in February 2017, Congress passed and President Trump signed H.R.J. Res 69 into law. H.R.J. Res 69 rescinded the DOI rule that limited predator hunting, prohibiting the DOI from promulgating a substantially similar rule in the future, allowing hunting to continue in accordance with Alaska law.

CBD challenged both H.R.J. Res 69 and the Congressional Review Act under the “Take Care” clause of the U.S. Constitution, which directs the Executive branch to take care and faithfully execute the law. CBD\’s argument was that because Congress did not directly amend any substantive law, the DOI didn’t know what the law was and could not faithfully execute it. The lawsuit launched by CBD named current DOI Secretary David Bernhardt as the defendant.

This grizzly was spotted from a camp on the Sheenjek River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Image by Alexis Bonogofsky, USFWS.)

In May 2018, U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason dismissed the suit in its entirety, relying on arguments made by the NRA and SCI. CBD appealed.

Yesterday, on Dec. 30, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that ruling dismissing all of CBD’s claims.

According to Courthouse News Service,

the judges “found that the Center for Biological Diversity failed to make a valid argument

that Congress violated the constitutional balance of powers when it passed a 2017 joint resolution allowing certain hunting techniques to be reinstated throughout Alaska’s expansive wildlife refuge system.”

The article also noted, “Because Congress properly enacted the joint resolution, and therefore validly amended Interior’s authority to administer national wildlife refuges in Alaska, Congress did not prevent the president from exercising his constitutional duty to faithfully execute the laws,” wrote U.S. Circuit Judge Sandra Segal Ikuta on behalf of the panel. “Indeed, the president now has the constitutional obligation to execute the joint resolution.”

The legal precedent here is important, too, as it can be used to keep National Wildlife Refuge hunting regulations in accordance with host states’ hunting seasons and regulations.

Follow NRA Hunters\’ Leadership Forum on Twitter @HuntersLead.

About the Author:

Brian McCombie is a field editor and editorial contributor for the NRA\’s American Hunter. He writes about firearms and gear for the NRA\’s Shooting Illustrated website, as well as handling public relations and marketing for companies and manufacturers in the shooting sports industry. He is a member of the National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Brian likes hunting hogs, shooting 1911s chambered in 10 mm and .45 ACP, watching the Chicago Bears and relaxing with his two cats, Peanut Morgan and Simon.

Freeholder Cappelli and The State Of The County

The statement below is by Camden County Freeholder Director Cappelli (photo) in regard to the annual state of

the county address for 2020.

“Good afternoon everyone and thank you for being here. I want to start off by saying that as we enter our 176th year, the state of the county is strong. Thanks to our dedicated and caring residents, the resiliency of our communities, and expanding economic opportunity for all, we enter this new year with limitless possibilities ahead.

For the past 12 months we have celebrated the 175th anniversary of Camden County’s incorporation. We sought to do this in two ways: by hosting 175 events where we could come together for a shared experience, goal, or purpose; and by tirelessly striving to improve the quality of life, access to opportunity, and availability of resources. Through both, we sought to make Camden County a place that you would be proud to call home.

Today, we begin not only a new year but a new decade. In doing so I want to take a moment to highlight not only the accomplishments of the last 12 months, but some of the milestones we accomplished in the last ten years.

We began the decade in a precarious position, gripped by the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. While today’s national economy may be growing, many of us remember the sleepless nights all too well, lying awake worried about losing a job, how we would pay the cable bill next month, how would we save for retirement? But, our community didn’t give up. You supported one another and took advantage of every chance that became available. Today, incomes are rising, poverty is decreasing, and unemployment is at incredible, record lows. The state of today’s economy in Camden County is due in large part to your resilience and willingness to persevere.

Two years into the decade we faced a seemingly insurmountable obstacle in our mission to reinvigorate Camden City. In 2012, 67 people were murdered in the City, a grisly record that forced strong action and a serious moment of self-reflection for not only members of this board and those in the community, but for individuals all over the state of New Jersey who wanted to see the City Invincible return to its former glory. In 2013, we launched the Camden County Police Department and brought with it a radical idea about how policing in America could look. Our officers, at the direction of Chief Scott Thomson, committed themselves to a new model of community policing that was later heralded by President Barack Obama as a model for the nation. In 2017, murder was down more than 65 percent. Since 2012, violent crime has dropped by 42 percent.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to highlight the vision and leadership of Chief Scott Thomson, who retired earlier this year. He took the reins of a grand experiment where few outside of our borders believed he could find success. Ultimately, he turned the CCPD into a vital partner for the communities in Camden City, and he transformed the narrative of Camden City from one of bleak desolation to one of unprecedented hope. We are eternally grateful for his service.

It should be noted as well that the man who has filled Scott’s shoes, Chief Joseph Wysocki, has taken over the role without missing a step and is doing a tremendous job since taking over. We are extremely grateful for his public service and for the leadership he has brought to the department.

Elsewhere in the county, we focused our attention on not only public safety, but on public spaces. Over the decade we invested tens of millions of dollars into our park infrastructure, green spaces, and natural resources. In 2011 we opened

Jake’s Place

at Challenge Grove Park, a first-of its-kind all-inclusive playground for children of all abilities. In 2017, we completed the long-needed dredging of Cooper River and saw the return of nationally-renowned rowing to our shores. In fact, this year we welcomed the Gold Cup, a gathering of the world’s best individual rowers to Cooper River, making our river an internationally recognized venue for the world’s top athletes. Just a few months ago, we opened Gateway Park along Admiral Wilson Boulevard, fulfilling a promise made more than 20 years ago when the vacant and dilapidated businesses that once stood on that site were torn down.

Of course, there were countless other projects heralded by the Parks Department and the incredible team of professionals who are focused on making Camden County a place where we can live, work, and play. Thanks to their hard work, the county has built one of the best park networks in the nation, and there is more still to come.

I could spend all of 2020 just highlighting the incredible work and accomplishments that I’ve seen in Camden County over the past decade, but there is still too much work to be done. Instead, I’d like to begin looking forward and focusing on where we plan to take our community in the next 12 months and beyond.

On January 1, we took the dramatic but necessary step of eliminating all single-use plastics from county facilities and events. Many locations throughout the county have already switched to sustainable, compositable alternatives, and the others will be phasing out plastics in the coming months as their current stock is depleted and their supply contracts end. In 2020, we are focused on sustainable habits and on finding ways to reduce Camden County’s contribution to environmental degradation and climate change. Right now, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Australia who are living through a catastrophic natural disaster that has been fueled by a rapidly changing climate. It is a stark reminder that we are nearly out of time to address this existential threat.

It’s not only ecological health that we’re focused on, but public health as well. During the last decade, we watched as an epidemic of opioid and substance use disorder gripped our communities and robbed us of the lives of too many young people. As a father, I take this issue very seriously. No parent should have to watch their child succumb to a preventable overdose. We cannot continue to enable the cycle of addiction and drug-related death.

This year, the Board is expanding and continuing several programs we believe to be critical to ending the opioid epidemic. This month, the Addiction Awareness Task Force will resume offering free Narcan training sessions, enabling ordinary community members to save a life during a moment of crisis. In the jail, recent grants now allow us to expand the Medication-Assisted Treatment program which will help reduce drug-related recidivism and overdoses among our formerly incarcerated population. In our communities, we have expanded the groundbreaking Project SAVE Program, which focuses on early invention for low-level offenders suffering from a substance use disorder. Together, we are prepared to attack the scourge of opioid abuse from all angles, and make our community a safer, healthier place.

In addition to safer parks, and safer homes, the Freeholder Board is continuing to identify public infrastructure such as roads, highways, and bridges, in need of repair or restoration. Each year the Board invests millions of dollars in the upkeep of our infrastructure as well as for major projects. In the coming weeks and months our crews will complete significant improvements along Chapel Avenue in Cherry Hill, Haddonfield-Berlin Road (CR 561), and new storm water enhancements throughout our network. As always, we will continue to connect with municipal leaders and residents for help identifying where significant upgrades can be made and are needed.

While many of these initiatives have been ongoing or occur each year, 2020 will represent a unique opportunity for our community. The decennial census count, which dictates the size of our representation in Congress, our federal funding allocation, and a variety of other critical measures, will be completed over the next 12 months.

We began connecting with our federal, state, and local partners last year to ensure a strategic, comprehensive approach to our Census efforts. Camden County is home to several, hard-to-count communities in both urban and rural areas, and we are working to ensure that everyone participates and gets counted. We are determined not to let this opportunity get away from us, as several of our communities have been undercounted in recent years, resulting in the loss of needed funds and even a lost congressional seat.

I want to highlight and thank Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez for the time and effort she has already spent helping to educate the public, and prepare for, the census, especially in the City of Camden. Her dedication and passion for this issue has undoubtedly increased the percentage of those who plan to participate, and we want to thank her for the work that she has already done and continues to do.

As we head into this 176th year in Camden County, we have so much to look back on, and so much more to look ahead to.

This year, we will continue to expand economic opportunity, protect the vulnerable in our community, push to make our communities safer, and ensure that our residents get their fair share of resources, funding, and representation.

I want to thank everyone for being here today and for their continued commitment to bettering our community. I also want to thank my fellow freeholders, as well as the public servants and employees that work to make Camden County a better place each and every day.”

Laura T. Colucci, of Bellmawr, Enjoyed Shopping, Hallmark Shows, but Loved Being With Family

Bellmawr – On January 4, 2020. Age 73. Born in Camden she was the daughter of the late Anthony J. and Laura E. (Papp) Colucci. Loving mother of Tommy Madden, Bobby Madden, Barbara Madden, Michele Zimmerman. Cherished grandmother of

Ryan, Nick, Jenna, Chuck, Mike Tyler, Brandon, Marissa, Traci, Robert, Jesse, Ariana, Cheyenna, Shawn, Kaitlyn, Jacob and

Laura T. Colucci

Madison. Great grandmother of Ariella Madden. Beloved sister of Billy Colucci, George Colucci, Charles Colucci, Anthony Colucci, Sandy Colucci, Charlene O’Drain and Patti Cipparone. Laura was also predeceased by her grandson, Shane Madden; sister, Barbara Jean Colucci; brother, Robert Colucci.

Laura worked for many years as a Production Assistant with Vertis Mailing LLC in Bellmawr. She enjoyed shopping, watching Hallmark Shows, but loved being with family.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Thursday, January 9th from 6 to 8 PM and again on Friday January 10

from 9 to 10 AM at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 851 Monmouth St., Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10:30 AM in St. Mary’s Church, Gloucester City. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Laura to: Cancer Research @ M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper Hospital, C/O The Cooper Foundation, 3 Cooper Plaza, Suite 500, Camden, NJ

08103. Please memo, Laura T. Colucci.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Laura T. Colucci. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City, NJ. Ph: 856-456-1142.

Gloucester Township Celebrates 325th Anniversary!

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP NJ–June 2020 marks the 325th anniversary since Gloucester Township’s incorporation in 1695. Gloucester Township has big plans to celebrate its anniversary with various exciting events that will continue throughout the year to celebrate the past, present, and future of our town. The township along with members of our community’s service organizations are currently coordinating activities to celebrate this commemorative

event.

To kick off the anniversary festivities, we will be hosting an anniversary parade in early May as a way to commemorate our town’s rich history and we’d like you to join us! Local groups, organizations and businesses are encouraged to participate in the parade and enter their own unique floats. The parade is scheduled for Saturday, May 2nd with a rain date of May 9th. Stay tuned for more information.

The second event will be a time capsule burial which will take place on Saturday, June 13th at the historic Gabreil Daveis Tavern. Items of significance to the township will be buried at the tavern to be dug up by future generations. The purpose of the time capsule is to allow Gloucester Township’s heritage to live on for many years to come.

Last but not least, to honor our six fire companies which are a significant part of our town’s history, Gloucester Township will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest Bucket Brigade. Bucket brigades were a method used in firefighting before hand-pumped fire engines in which firefighters would pass buckets to each other to extinguish a blaze. In order to break the world record and appear in the Guinness Book of Records, we need YOUR help! We are looking for 6,500 volunteers to line up and pass a bucket on Saturday, September 12th. More details and information regarding registration is coming soon.

We look forward to having you join us in the grand celebration of 325 years of our beautiful Gloucester Township!

For more information, please visit

https://www.glotwp325.com

Address/Location

Gloucester Township, NJ

1261 Chews Landing Rd

Gloucester Township, NJ 08021

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-228-4000

Marjorie Vedder, of Lincoln Park, NJ

On December 29, 2019. Age 77. Of Lincoln Park, NJ. Survived by her children, Stephen Vedder, Evan Vedder and his wife, Jodie and Marie Payne as well as her brother, Joseph Haggerty.

Funeral services will be private.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.comunder the obituary of Marjorie Vedder. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through:

McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City, NJ.

Ph: 856-456-1142.

New Jersey Lottery 50th Anniversary Celebration Year

– $42 Billion in Prizes Awarded to its Players since 1970 –

– Innovative New Games & Chances to play in 2020 –

TRENTON (Jan. 8, 2020)

– The New Jersey Lottery, one of the largest lotteries and the third oldest in the United States, is excited to celebrate 50 years of fun-filled gaming with a year-long celebration

that includes the introduction of new games and producing on-going fun and entertainment for players, with continued commitment to responsible gaming while providing financial support to the state

“Fifty years ago, New Jersey voters took a chance and approved a state Lottery, which turned out to be a winner. The original hope was that the lottery would generate $12 million in profit annually. Last year, the New Jersey Lottery contributed over a billion dollars to the state,” said James A. Carey, Acting Executive Director of the New Jersey Lottery.

Launched in 1969, the lottery was born with the goal of raising funds to support education and state-run institutions. Today the New Jersey Lottery is committed to providing revenue-generating entertainment products to help protect the retirement benefits of those who serve our community, including New Jersey’s teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public employees.

“We have so many reasons to celebrate fifty years of success. Since 1970, the New Jersey Lottery has produced over $28 billion in revenue for the state and $42 billion in prizes for our players – making over 2,000 millionaires in the process. I can’t wait to meet the next group of winners at our kickoff events,” said Carey.

THE KICK-OFF EVENTS

The year-long celebration will kick off with two events open to consumers where $50,000 in various prizes will be available to attendees 18 and over, and some (literally) “up for grabs” with the premier of the New Jersey Lottery CA$HNADO, an interactive, prize -grabbing, everybody-is-watching experience.

January 9, 2020; 2:30 – 4:30 PM: Bridgewater Commons Mall in the Atrium

January 11, 2020; 4-6 PM: Wild Wild West in Atlantic City

New Jersey\’s Plastic Bag Ban is Alive- Up In Senate

The bill that would prohibit carryout bags made of plastic film, polystyrene foam food service products, and paper bags, and prohibits the offering of single-use plastic straws,

S2776 (Smith/Greenstein),

will be up for a floor vote on Monday, January 13, 2020. It will be

amended and up for a floor vote in the Senate.

“The plastic ban bill is alive and will be up for a floor vote in the Senate on Monday. The is one of the most important bills on banning plastics in New Jersey. There is no guarantee that the Assembly will pick it but it is critical that that they act on the bill. The amended version will have a 2-year phase out for plastic, paper, and polystyrene. This is the most comprehensive plastic bill in the nation because it bans paper bags as well as single-use plastic bags. This bill will also encourage more reusable bags because under the bill stores will give our free reusable bags for two months to help with the transition to no paper or plastic bags,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“This is landmark legislation for New Jersey when it comes to plastics and dealing with plastic pollution and it is critical that our legislators push this bill through.”

The bill would prohibit the use of single-use plastic carryout bags and paper bags in stores and food service businesses, and would ban food service businesses from offering single-use plastic straws. It would also ban the sale of polystyrene and would prohibit food service businesses from selling or providing food packaged in polystyrene containers.

“We cannot wait any longer. Our legislature needs to move quickly before our plastic waste problem gets worse. People are fed up with plastic pollution filling up their storm drains and threatening their drinking water. More than 40 towns have started taking action with local plastic bans, isn’t it time for New Jersey’s Legislature to stand up and be as bold as places like Jersey City and Sea Bright? We need this comprehensive statewide ban to more effectively combat our plastic pollution,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “

The Senate and Assembly have the chance to make New Jersey in combating plastic pollution, it is important that they move they put this bill on Governor Murphy’s desk to sign.”