Dear Governor Murphy, Senate President Scutari, Assembly Speaker Coughlin, and Members of the Legislature,

As organizations on the frontlines of public health, we write to urge you to support Senate Bill 4792/Assembly Bill 6165, which would restore $45 million to New Jersey’s opioid settlement fund and ensure that these critical resources are used as intended: to save lives and strengthen communities most impacted by overdose.

The diversion of these funds to hospital systems undermined years of careful planning, transparency, and community engagement. These settlement dollars were intended to support evidence- and community-based programs that meet people where they are—especially those disconnected from traditional healthcare settings. This includes harm reduction services, supportive housing, legal assistance, and other interventions proven to reduce overdose deaths. These programs save lives every day.

Restoring these funds is not just a financial or procedural issue—it is a moral imperative. These resources come directly from pharmaceutical companies that profited from the overdose crisis, and they must be used to address the harm caused. Allowing funds to be diverted away from evidence-based programs puts communities at risk, threatens the stability of services that are already making a measurable impact, and erodes public trust in the state’s ability to manage this once-in-a-generation opportunity responsibly.

We also call for strong safeguards to prevent any future diversions, including lockbox protections and transparent processes for allocation. The organizations, individuals, and communities responding to overdoses cannot bear repeated threats to these vital resources. Protecting the integrity of the fund ensures that life-saving programs can continue, expand, and reach those most in need.

Senate Bill 4792/Assembly Bill 6165 provides a clear path to restore these funds and set a precedent that the state will act decisively to support evidence-based, community-centered solutions. The choices made now will determine whether New Jersey will continue to reduce overdose deaths and build stronger communities or instead will allow critical resources to be siphoned away from the people they were designed to serve.

We urge swift action to correct this course, restore the $45 million to the opioid settlement fund, and protect the future of New Jersey’s overdose prevention and recovery efforts. Lives depend on these decisions, and the state has a responsibility to ensure that funding is used effectively, equitably, and transparently. We urge you to pass Senate Bill 4792/Assembly Bill 6165 this legislative session.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to evidence-based overdose prevention and recovery.

Sincerely,

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