We are made up of loved ones, people in recovery, and people who use drugs. 

We are dedicated to taking action to end the overdose crisis in NJ.​

Not One More NJ is made up of people who use drugs, people who are in recovery (or who want to be), and loved ones of people impacted by substance use disorder. We’re dedicated to taking action to end the overdose crisis by crushing the stigma and expanding access to compassionate, evidence-based treatments and harm reduction in New Jersey. Since launching this campaign in 2019, we have made our voices heard by advocating for the solutions our communities and loved ones need. We’ve played a role in passing 3 key pieces of legislation in NJ that expand access to lifesaving naloxone and medication assisted treatment (MAT), and then, as part of a national coalition, worked to pass the MAT Act at the end of 2022 as a federal law, vastly improving access to buprenorphine nationwide.

Have you been impacted by the overdose crisis or substance use disorder? Share your story and experience with us here. By sharing our stories we can create momentum for change to save lives and expand access to quality care for people who use drugs.

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JOIN US IN OUR FIGHT

Now more than ever, we need to stand up and speak out in the name of those we have lost to preventable overdose deaths; and with loved ones who are still with us.

Patrick Christopher Walters, aka “Waltz”

Submitted by: Anonymous
Date: Monday, February 28, 2022 @ 03:36:10 pm

Might as well have been a superhero. Hulk-like strength, baseball mitts for hands, and a heart of gold; he was like someone out of the Marvel universe. Of course anyone who ever met him knew his true superpower came out in the form of a monstrous hug always followed with an “I love you buddy.” It was special.

Guys in their twenties especially didn’t show that kind of love. He was the exception.

Waltz never had it easy; he went through a lot at an early age. Nevertheless he was always joking around, smiling, and in his own way, inspiring others. I still remember when he gave us all the Al Pacino peaches speech before a big playoff game we had in softball. We laughed our asses off, it eased the tension and we played great. That’s who he was. Always there for his friends, family, and even strangers when they needed it.

Like a superhero.

We grew up differently, but as we became friends we understood each other more and grew closer as the years went by. Both stubborn guys who frequently bumped heads, yet had many nights of sitting up late having “deep” conversations about our lives, our goals, and what this ride is all about.

My family grew to love him as well and he was always invited and almost insisted on attending any event we had going on. And he loved my family too. And he loved his friends. And above all else he loved his family. And they loved him. And I know they miss him dearly.

That’s who Waltz was. A lover not a fighter as he would often say.

With his father out of the picture, he took on the father figure role for his brothers and even at times for his brothers friends. He was a born leader who was just starting to figure it out and we all got robbed of the gifts he could have given.

Pat fell victim to the epidemic of our lifetime which is still going on, largely ignored by our society today. We have all lost someone senselessly to this beast that doesn’t discriminate. And even though we will never know what our loved ones could have accomplished in this world, we can take solace in the fact that sharing their stories, their journeys, their struggles will prevent losing more amazing humans in the future. I know that’s what my friend Pat would have wanted.

I love you buddy.