​Happy New Year Everyone!
 
N.J. Support Recovery License Plate application forms are now available!
 
You can now start the process of purchasing your Support Recovery License Plates to help reduce homelessness due to substance use disorder, reduce the stigma and raise awareness about this disease.
 
On January 13, 2019 Bill S-469, N.J. Support Recovery License Plates was signed into law. P.I.C.K. Awareness has been working with the office of the DMVC and the DMHAS to finally make these plates available to the public.  Through the generosity of N.J. Car, the required funding for this project was sent in to the DMVC.
 
The N.J. DMVC Form, SP-23 is required for all license plate applications. If anyone is interested in supporting this much needed cause, they can fill out this form and send it directly to P.I.C.K. Awareness, along with their payment of $50.00 for each plate.
 
Form SP-23:  https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/vehicles/SP-23.pdf
 
Our non-profit, Parents In Connection for Kids Inc., otherwise known, as P.I.C.K. Awareness is the designated coordinator to collect ALL forms and payments. The initial plate fee is $50.00. The renewal fee thereafter is only $10.00 a year.  All applications will be vetted first by the DMVC before issuing you the plate so please be patient with the process! 
 
All renewal monies will go to the DMHAS ( Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services) where it will be held and distributed by their appointed liaison. 
 
Please send your signed applications and checks (made out to) 
P.I.C.K. Awareness
P.O. Box 74
Allenwood N.J. 08720
https://www.pickawareness.com
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at ddestefano@pickawareness.com
 
Thank you so much for your anticipated support in making this a reality! So many families will benefit from this initiative. 
 
 
Donna DeStefano

On January 13, 2020 Governor Murphy signed Bill A268/ S469, The P.I.C.K. Awareness Act , for the issuance of Support Recovery License Plates In NJ.

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!
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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.”

Today at the State House, the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee passed Bill S-469 the "P.I.C.K Awareness Act" for the implementation of the "Support Recovery License Plates" Next step  is to the Senate floor for a final vote then it's off to Governor Murphy's desk for his signature. 
These license plates will provide a sustainable funding source to help reduce homelessness as a barrier to substance use recovery, reduce stigma and raise awareness about this epidemic.


New Jersey’s neighborhood new car dealers, applaud the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee for passing the P.I.C.K. Awareness Act, creating a “Support Recovery” license plate that will generate revenue to fund substance abuse treatment resources. NJ CAR and its dealer members have been working with Parents In Connection for Kids, Inc. to raise the funds to cover the fees and initial production run of license plates.

Thank you to Assemblymen Sean Kean and Joseph Egan for initially sponsoring this Bill and to Senator Robert Singer. Special thanks to Senator Vin Gopal for his relentless efforts in getting this out of the SBA committee. 

​See Press Release from Assemblyman Sean Kean:

I know so many families who've lost a loved one or friend to an overdose. With all the prevention efforts, Narcan trainings and distribution, town hall meetings, seminars and forums, recovery specialists intervening at the hospital and a multitude of informational efforts, it's sad to think that we actually have this day on the calendar. 
 
On the other hand, it's a wonderful tribute to all the beautiful souls who have fought the battle of addiction, but ultimately lost. It's a reminder that Substance Use Disorder is a disease that is at epidemic proportions and if you have it you and your family are in for the fight of your lives.
 
It's also a reminder that it is a treatable disease. Over 23 million people who are in recovery can attest to that.
 
Today, on August 31st take a moment and do what you can to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of Substance Use Disorder. Reach out to grieving families and help them heal. Talk to those suffering because they are human beings who need help not judgment.

​That's what this day is all about. ​
​
#overdoseawarenessday #overdose #stigma #awareness #opioid #recovery #sober #soberliving #substanceuse #substance #soberliving #families #grieving #Judgement #heal #narcan #prevention #pickawareness 

www.overdoseday.com

 
P.I.C.K. Awareness hopes you enjoyed your 4th of July! Summer has begun! Please make it safe! 

I wrote this article for Thrive Global for all the Moms out there who struggled or are struggling with a family member who has a substance use disorder. Please take a moment to read it and pass it on to anyone who needs a little love.Thank you!

When you give birth to a child, your life changes forever. You immediatly think differently about things. Things you never thought of before suddenly are first in line. Your priorities change. You think about your own mother and finally appreciate her! The happiness that you feel when you hold that child compares to nothing else.
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Click below to read the article:

[…]mandrillapp.com/track/click/30958145/thriveglobal.com?p=eyJzIjoiTjlzU1c0S2RqZURXOUJxbnZmV3IxRmlnYWJBIiwidiI6MSwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDk1ODE0NSxcInZcIjoxLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3Rocml2ZWdsb2JhbC5jb21cXFwvc3Rvcmllc1xcXC9oYXBweS1tb3RoZXJzLWRheVxcXC8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1OZXdzbGV0dGVyX1B1Ymxpc2gmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1UaHJpdmVcIixcImlkXCI6XCJkNTFmYTIyN2Y3Yzc0M2M1OWI2ZDcyZWQ5Mjc0YjM4NlwiLFwidXJsX2lkc1wiOltcIjQ3ODE5MWNjNmZiMzVmZGVmMmRmODc3N2ZhOWU0MDEyMmM3YWMxOGVcIl19In0

Please read my post that was published for Thrive Globe. I'm honored to be a contributor!

How Building a Great Support System Can Help You Survive Your Loved One’s Addiction
Be someone’s light. Isolation and fear are common when you are facing addiction issues. You don’t want anyone to know that it’s your kid, your husband, your wife that has a substance use disorder.  The thought of the words leaving your lips and possibly being judged or pitied is sometimes too much. Take it from me....... See more here: 
​
thriveglobal.com/stories/how-building-a-great-support-system-can-help-you-survive-your-loved-ones-addiction/?fbclid=IwAR2a9OqC1Qo4g7NOVsZ3vY-wB4eGMQaZGXDChVXG0SSB4m2eO6jGahxgtI4

Parent's In Connection for Kids wishes you and your family a Happy New Year. Please drink responsibly. If you plan to drink tonight please have a plan in place for a designated driver or use Uber or Lyft. Do Not think you are ok to drive home. It's no joke. Besides the fact that you could kill yourself or an innocent family, you can be fined or imprisoned.

Here is a list of New Jersey Drunk Driving Fines and Penalties. Don't risk it!: dui.drivinglaws.org/jersey.php. 

For those in recovery here are some tips on how to remain sober during the holidays: 

www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/tips-for-enjoying-sober-holidays. 
projectturnabout.org/12-tips-for-staying-sober-during-the-holiday-season/ 

Happy New Year!

​Donna

Families get together for various events and celebrate traditions, faith, love and life. When you have someone in your family who is in recovery after a debilitating journey, it’s a blessing, but your family dynamics are never the same. 
 
There’s usually resentment and the fear that at any time a relapse can happen. When you have siblings who struggled through this journey together, you have to remember that they have a different perspective then you do. They’ve lost something too. They’ve been put in a position where they’ve “protected” their sibling by lying for them, not telling on them, watching them do drugs or buy drugs, they’ve been manipulated and stolen from and even asked to urinate for them so they can pass a drug test. They have visited them in jail, they have listened to people talk about their sibling, sometimes have gotten beat up because of it and yet the entire time, they still loved and supported them. They’ve mentally prepared themselves for the dreaded phone call that their sibling has overdosed and died. They’re mad at their parents because they were only focused on the one who is/was doing drugs. They have been robbed of a normal childhood where bonds and relationships should’ve been solid and safe..
 
 I know first hand the pain that families feel when they are trying to rebuild from this ordeal. My children have all suffered the effects of my daughter’s drug abuse. My husband and I fought over it, we spent countless hours and money trying to help her and we were always distracted and under tremendous stress. 
Eventually, the trust is gone, the resentment and fear practically numb you.  PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a real thing. Future events in life can trigger these feelings at any time. Siblings are hurt the most. They are so innocent; they are caught in the mix and terrified.
 
Healing takes a long time, but you can get there! Not all families are ready or open to counseling. During the holidays we have family celebrations, relatives and friends that come to visit. There are so many pressures. Getting together and facing the person who hurt you the most is sometimes too hard. There are bad memories and unresolved issues that sometimes are too much to initially forgive.
 
Sobriety, as wonderful as that may be, is not the same as recovering. Just because you are “substance free” that doesn’t mean you are well. Recovery means taking responsibility for the damaged relationships that occurred when the person with a substance use disorder was using. 
My daughter has been trying to mend her relationships and she's succeeding. She's written apologies; met with the people she’s hurt and has shown growth. I think the fear of relapse and opening old wounds sometimes gets in the way of accepting the apology. Things are improving slowly and I know deep in my heart that forgiveness between my siblings is around the corner. I see them laughing together again, able to be in the same room without being uncomfortable and able to enjoy the holidays again. Forgiveness is not only for the person who hurt you. It’s for you. When you release that load of anger and hurt off your shoulders you’re able to move on. Peace can be yours if you want it.
 
Repairing broken relationships is critical to the process of recovery. With hard work, patience and time you can get there.
 
Each member of your family has suffered. Understanding addiction, being informed, educating yourself and finding a good support system will help you heal. Whether your one of the lucky ones and still have your loved one here or your loved one has paid the ultimate price and overdosed, your family will need to move forward. Life is too short. 
 
 There are many resources out there to help your family. If counseling isn’t an option you can go to Al-Anon/ALA-TEEN, NAR-Anon, speak to your church, school SAC, local family community meetings and state resources. 
 
Please visit the pages here in my website www.pickawareness.com. I have done the research for you because I remember how hard it was for me when I was searching for answers.  It’s all here. If you don't see what you need, please write to me. 
 
Happy holidays,
 
Donna DeStefano