Advocacy is at the heart of our Mission

Since inception, NCAAR (formerly the NJ chapter of the National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) has led advocacy efforts to reduce the stigma associated with addiction and mental health concerns. By educating the public and policy makers about addiction as a public health issue, we are working to advance policy solutions to improve the quality and access to treatment and recovery services and to foster the implementation of a full recovery-oriented system of care in New Jersey.

Grassroots Advocacy

In 2008, our advocacy efforts launched a new groundbreaking initiative, the Advocacy Leadership Program. Since then, the program has flourished with over 1,000 volunteers throughout the State of New Jersey, bringing together people in recovery, their families, friends, and allies. Our advocates have testified at countless hearings, organized events in their communities to raise awareness about recovery, participated in legislative visits and letter writing campaigns—all in a grassroots effort to save and change lives. Their stories have become the guiding force for positive policy change in vital areas such as early intervention, harm reduction, and criminal justice reform.

The passionate efforts of our advocates have led to some of these key legislative wins in New Jersey:

  • Behavioral health parity
  • Ending patient brokering
  • Improving access to Naloxone and medication-assisted treatment services
  • Decriminalization of Marijuana

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT FINDER  

You can help make positive changes too! Learn who your representatives are in your district and email advocacy@ncaarbh.org to become an advocate.
Do you know what district you live in? Find it here   

 

Road to Recovery

View our Road to Recovery, highlighting the current legislative priorities identified by our advocates

Our Stories Have Power Postcard Campaign

Click here to share your recovery story with us (you can choose to be anonymous) for a chance to be featured on our Advocate’s Corner or our podcast.

Advocate to Allocate

Holding New Jersey Accountable for Opioid Settlement Funding

Advocate Spotlight

In this Feature, Advocate Ken Musgrove

Each quarter, an NCAAR advocate shares a part of their journey which inspired them to take action.

Spotlight

Trainings

NCAAR provides free trainings to advocacy leaders and other community organizations on multiple topics including Prevention and Early Intervention, Advocacy 101, Our Stories Have Power, Using Empowering Language for Change, and Understanding Harm Reduction. Check out our Events Calendar for upcoming trainings and advocacy events in your area.

Need Space? Rent our conference room for your next training or event. *Room holds up to 70 people. Email Policy@ncaarbh.org for more information.

be the change

How will you be the movement?

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