The opioid epidemic is a nationwide crisis impacting countless lives across communities in the United States.

The crisis is no exception in New Jersey, affecting individuals from all walks of life, including student-athletes. Recently, the Partnership for Drug-Free New Jersey hosted an eye-opening event that ANJC staff attended, “Knock Out Opioid Abuse: A Conversation About Athletes and Opioids,” to address this issue head-on. The event featured former Rutgers and NFL Quarterback Ray Lucas as a guest speaker, providing invaluable insights and experiences to shed light on this pressing concern.

Ray Lucas is no stranger to the struggles of opioid addiction, having gone through his battle with painkiller dependency after a career in professional football. His personal experiences make him a powerful and empathetic advocate for change. Lucas discussed the risks of prescription opioids, particularly for student-athletes, and emphasized the importance of education and support to prevent opioid abuse.

Student-Athlete Opioid Misuse

Student-athletes are especially vulnerable to the risks of prescription opioid misuse.

They often face immense pressure to perform at their best, recover from injuries quickly, and manage pain. This pressure can lead to an increased reliance on prescription painkillers, which may, in turn, develop into addiction. As a result, raising awareness and providing appropriate resources to student-athletes, their coaches, and their families is crucial.

Don’t Wait to Take Action!

Visit KnockOutOpioidAbuse.DrugFreeNJ.org to register a school for the Knock Out Opioid Abuse program, which offers valuable resources and support to help address the opioid crisis in your community.

By coming together, we can address the opioid crisis and positively impact the lives of student-athletes and our communities at large.