I’m absolutely thrilled that this effort will help reduce homelessness for folks who are trying to recover from substance use issues. These plates will serve as an outward sign of support for families who struggle, they will help reduce stigma and discrimination and will raise awareness.
Most importantly they’ll be a sustainable effort towards reducing homelessness as a barrier to recovery.
Proceeds from sales of these special license plates will be provided to the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to support permanent sober living housing for residents who have completed substance abuse treatment programs.
So many people helped me get this to the finish line. A big thank you to N.J. Car for the seed money to make this happen and the legislators who knew this effort would be part of the solution! Assemblymen Sean Kean and Joe Egan, Senator’s Vin Gopal and Robert Singer, their great staff! The Next Gen Group at N.J. Car, Tom DeFelice, Circle BMW, Charlie McKenna, Maria Rooney, Michele Lanfrank, Vanessa M. Arico, Jill Quaranta, Pam Capaci, and especially the 900 people who signed this petition!
See Article from Senator Gopal here:
www.senatorgopal.com/gopal_bill_raising_awareness_of_opioid_addiction_now_law?fbclid=IwAR0eE9jnnbdWH4GV_mu2ohrzkwrrZToWzrbX33dhGD4qrsN6pdk3VuymJfw
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Senator Vin Gopal
16 hours agoI first met with Parents in Connection for Kids Inc in 2018 and was deeply touched by their mission of reducing heroin overdoses and substance abuse disorders in our communities. Today, I'm proud to share that the bill we worked on together with Senator Bob Singer is now law, allowing NJ residents to purchase special "Support Recovery" license plates to raise awareness of addiction, with all funds going toward sober housing for rehabilitated individuals. Thank you to PICK Awareness for your tremendous leadership on this issue!
See Press Release from Singer/ Kean here:
SINGER/KEAN BILL TO CREATE SUPPORT RECOVERY LICENSE PLATES SIGNED INTO LAW
Legislation (A-268/S-469) sponsored by Senator Robert W. Singer and Assemblyman Sean T. Kean that creates special “Support Recovery” license plates was signed into law on Monday, January 13, 2020 by Governor Murphy. The money generated by the license plates will provide housing assistance funds for people who have completed substance abuse treatment.
"Allowing drivers to purchase a special license plate will help provide lifesaving sober-living facilities. Addiction does not discriminate. This disease affected countless families in every neighborhood across the state. These plates will increase awareness and help educate residents about the dangers of substance abuse," said Senator Singer.
“Far too many New Jerseyans and their families are struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. This license plate will indicate an ally in the fight against addiction,” added Asm. Kean. “Further, the money generated from the license plate will help fund sober housing.”
Donna DeStefano, a local resident whose daughter is in recovery, suggested the license plate idea to Kean. DeStefano is the founder and CEO of Parents in Connection for Kids, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides substance abuse treatment resources and referrals to parents of children with alcohol and drug addictions.
“These plates are a sustainable effort that will bring much-needed funds to help reduce homelessness as a barrier to recovery. Folks coming out of treatment often have no family support because of burnt bridges. They need sober living housing options, but they have no means to pay for it,” remarked Ms. DeStefano. “They’ll be able to look for a job and begin the process of recovery.”
She continued, “Support Recovery License Plates will also be an outward sign of support for families who struggle and they will reduce stigma and raise awareness about substance use disorders. I’m hoping this will open up the conversation and maybe bring light to more prevention efforts as well.”
The license plate will feature a compass rose with cardinal direction indicators enclosed in a circle with the words “Support Recovery” beneath the image.
Ms.DeStefano started a petition to support this cause and received over 900 signatures. In addition, she was also able to garner the support of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJCAR) who pledged to contribute the seed money needed to create the license plates. No taxpayer money will be used for the plates.
Ms. DeStefano concluded, “I’m looking forward to seeing these plates on the road and how they will make a difference for this population.”