Heroes Of The Addiction Crisis: How Angelo Valente of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey Is Helping To Battle One of Our Most Serious Epidemics

When you work with supporters, granters, and government agencies, it is important to understand they have rules, regulations, and timetables that may differ from what you have in mind.

As a part of our series about “Heroes Of The Addiction Crisis,” I had the pleasure of interviewing Angelo M. Valente.

Angelo M. Valente has been the Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey since its inception in 1992 and has led the organization to become the largest continuous Public Service Campaign in New Jersey’s history. Twice recognized by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, under Angelo’s leadership the organization has also been recognized by the National Association of Government Communicators for the most effective public health education campaign in the country.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a bit of your backstory?

My journey started with J.P. Miele, the visionary behind the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Not only did he create that, but he also founded the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. I owned an agency at the time, and I worked closely with his private companies, handling his public relations and advertising. When he was approached to establish PDFNJ, he knew of my expertise and asked me to serve as its first executive director.

Is there a particular story or incident that inspired you to get involved in your work with opioid and drug addiction?

Our Board Chair, Elaine Pozyck, tragically lost her son, Steven, to an accidental opioid overdose. He was injured in a ski accident and was prescribed opioids to help him recover. Elaine contacted our organization to get involved because she wanted to make sure other families did not have to go through the same heartbreak. This was 10 years ago, and at the time, we were one of the few voices putting a spotlight on overprescribing opioids and its link to the epidemic.

Elaine always says that if she had known about the potential dangers of this prescribed medication, she might have been able to save her son. Many people are unaware of the risks associated with opioids and that there are safer alternatives for managing acute pain that can be just as effective.

Can you explain what brought us to this place? Where did this epidemic come from?

I believe the crisis came as a result of overprescribing of opioids. They were prescribed very liberally, in great numbers, and for many reasons. And unfortunately, pharmaceutical companies withheld critical information about these drugs from healthcare professionals. As a result, many people developed a dependency, which led to opioid use disorder. It’s clear that, in many respects, this crisis could have been prevented.

Can you describe how your work is making an impact in battling this epidemic?

We know from our research that the Partnership message is widely recognized and positively impacts NJ residents. People are sharing our messages with their friends and neighbors in the hopes of protecting their loved ones.

Wow! Without sharing real names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted by your initiative?

In a meeting with the CEO of one of New Jersey’s major corporations, he said his children, who were in grade school at the time, brought home the Partnership’s Third Grade Healthy Life-Healthy Decisions Coloring and Activity Book, which includes a contract for students, parents, and teachers to sign. He realized how impactful our work was not just from a corporate perspective but also from a parent’s point of view.

As a dad, it came full circle for me as well. My children also brought home the book, so I signed a contract I authored.

Can you share something about your work that makes you most proud? Is there a particular story or incident that you found most uplifting?

It is so motivating to go into classrooms and listen to young people. At first, there was pushback when we started going to schools because people didn’t think these were appropriate messages for children. However, we are proud that over 100,000 schoolchildren participate in our programs throughout the state. We always believed schools have a role and can provide information on how to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. It is very rewarding to hear children discuss the messages we helped create.

Can you share three things that the community and society can do to help you address the root of this problem? Can you give some examples?

When we first got involved in the opioid crisis, we looked at how young people were accessing these drugs. We developed the first-ever Medicine Chest Challenge in the country, which included steps people can take to protect their families from addiction. These included:

1. Taking inventory of prescription and over-the-counter medication.
2. Keeping medicine out of the reach of children.
3. Having conversations at home about the dangers of prescription drug use.

This was used nationally and became the American Medicine Chest Challenge. It’s held on the second Saturday in November, but people can do these things throughout the year.

If you had the power to influence legislation, which three laws would you like to see introduced that might help you in your work?

1. Opioid Patients’ Right to Know Act. Patients need to have a conversation with their providers so they can learn about the addictive qualities of opioids and what alternatives are available. We were instrumental in introducing and passing this in New Jersey, and it became the first state to do so. Since then, 18 additional states have adopted it, and our goal is for it to be law in all 50 states.

2. Limit the number of opioids that can be prescribed. It only takes five days for dependency to set in, so the first prescription should be limited to five doses at most.

3. Require that 100% of the money that is coming into states from the opioid settlements directly benefit the people who have been impacted. This would also include prevention programs so more people will not take the path of dependency and addiction.

I know that this is not easy work. What keeps you going?

You realize how necessary it is and how many people are impacted by opioid use disorder. Our work saves lives, and I can’t think of anything more important.

I am fortunate to work with a small but dedicated team that is passionate about our message and cause.

Do you have hope that one day, this leading cause of death can be defeated?

I always say that my goal is to put myself out of business. I hope that in the next few years, the number of impacted people will drop until one day, the crisis won’t exist.

How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?

Leadership is being able to motivate others. It’s having a mission and inspiring others to be involved in the cause.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?

1. Even with the most noble causes, there will be people who have a different opinion about your mission.
2. You need to spend time away from the position to be more effective on the job. This is especially true now because, with technology, it is easy to always be connected to work.
3. The people you work with have strengths and weaknesses. As a manager, it is crucial to utilize each person’s strengths as much as possible.
4. Don’t look at attendance as a barometer of success. For many years, we used to worry about attendance at our events. But in reality, it is a huge success even if you reach just one person in the audience.
5. When you work with supporters, granters, and government agencies, it is important to understand they have rules, regulations, and timetables that may differ from what you have in mind.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I would love to motivate others to do some of the things we’ve done. New Jersey was the first state to have a prescription drug take-back program. We engage the medical community in developing safe prescribing practices, and our PSA messages have regional and national impact. We had a very provocative opioid campaign that launched in Times Square, and people heard about it across the country.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly, you are doing the impossible. ~ St. Francis of Assisi

Even though many things start as simple ideas and concepts, you can do unbelievable things if you follow through.

Is there a person in the world or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

My parents, both of whom are deceased. They provided me, my brother, and the entire family with a lifetime of support and love. It would be wonderful to have one last opportunity with them so they can see how appreciative we are for the sacrifices they made for all of us.

How can our readers follow you on social media?

Facebook

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LinkedIn

This was very meaningful. Thank you so much!