Heroin (File Photo/ Dimitris Kalogeropoylos/ Flickr)
A new license plate will raise funds to help those overcoming drug addiction, its sponsor said Monday.
The state General Assembly advanced legislation by Assemblyman Sean Kean (R-Monmouth) to create a special support recovery license plate to provide housing assistance funding for people who have completed substance abuse treatment.
“The support recovery license plate will provide a sustainable funding source for recovery services and serve as an outward sign of support for addiction recovery, which has impacted the lives of so many New Jerseyans,” said Kean. “This bill will also help reduce homelessness as a barrier to recovery as funds generated will provide needed housing.”
Kean said the license plate was suggested by Donna DeStefano, a local resident whose daughter is in recovery. 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.
“New Jersey has been on the forefront of fighting this epidemic,” said DeStefano. “There’s a real urgency to help this population and to save lives. This is another tool to do just that.”
The license plate will consist of an image of a compass rose with cardinal direction indicators enclosed in a circle, and the words “Support Recovery” beneath the image.
The legislation will have to be approved by the state Senate and be signed into law by the governor to be enacted.
