In June 2025, the New Jersey Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council released its inaugural Strategic Plan, a comprehensive five-year roadmap to guide the equitable and data-driven investment of opioid settlement funds across the state. The plan centers on saving lives, reducing harm, and improving long-term outcomes for individuals and communities impacted by the overdose crisis. The Strategic Plan is the result of a 15-month planning process led in partnership with the Center for Research and Evaluation on Education and Human Services (CREEHS) at Montclair State University. The process included a comprehensive Needs Assessment, interviews with stakeholders and individuals with lived experience, and ongoing collaboration with service providers and local organizations.

Key highlights of the Strategic Plan include:

• A vision of substance use disorder as a health condition that should be met with equitable access to services.
• Four key investment areas: housing, harm reduction, treatment, and coordinated wraparound services.
• Twelve core strategies designed to reduce overdose deaths, improve treatment access, and address the social determinants of health.
• A robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track the impact of investments and ensure accountability.

The Strategic Plan is designed to be adaptive, evolving over time in response to changing needs, data, and community feedback. Annual progress reviews, stakeholder engagement, and transparent reporting will ensure the plan remains responsive and effective.