During my 35 years as a union carpenter, I’ve seen too many of my fellow union members struggle with opioid addiction — addiction that frequently began with a simple workplace injury. Now, as a public servant, I carry those experiences with me as I fight to protect working people from this devastating crisis. I take immense pride in my responsibility to my constituents to materially improve their lives, and that includes those who work tirelessly to build our way to prosperity and expertly maintain our infrastructure. I consider it my duty to do everything in my power to tackle this crisis head-on.

The numbers in New Jersey tell a devastating story about how this crisis affects working people. In 2024, over 3 million opioid prescriptions were dispensed across our state — enough for one prescription for every three adults.

How did we get to a point where opioids are so ubiquitous? There is plenty of responsibility to go around, from opioid manufacturers to pill-mill doctors and a system that prioritizes so-called cheap and easy fixes, without thinking about the long-term costs to patients, their families and our communities. But the bottom line is, we need solutions.

That is why I introduced bill A-4682, legislation that would prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage of non-opioid medications in favor of opioid prescriptions. I’ve seen constituents wrestle through addictions that came from a simple prescription for pain management. And as long as opioids are cheaper than safer options, patients will continue to risk addiction for the sake of a cheaper treatment. Nobody should ever have to make that choice. This bill will change that, and empower patients and doctors to make the best medical decisions possible.

Through hard-fought settlements with opioid manufacturers, New Jersey will receive more than $1 billion through 2038 for prevention, treatment and recovery programs. But while we work to help those already struggling with addiction, we must also prevent new cases from developing —especially among our seniors who are particularly susceptible to opioid addiction.

This is where federal action becomes crucial. The Alternatives to Prevent Addiction in the Nation (Alternatives to PAIN) Act would ensure that seniors on Medicare have the same protections I’m fighting for at the state level. Just as my legislation would prevent insurance companies from forcing New Jersey residents toward opioids, the Alternatives to PAIN Act would ensure Medicare recipients can access non-addictive pain medications without facing higher costs or unnecessary barriers.

While New Jersey leads the way with innovative state-level solutions and historic investments in addiction services, we need our congressional delegation to support the Alternatives to PAIN Act. The foundation we’re building at the state level is strong. But this crisis affects our entire nation, and we need federal support to ensure every working person in New Jersey — whether they’re on the job, injured or retired — has access to the safest possible pain management options.

The time for action is now. I call upon my peers in the Assembly to vote in favor of A-4682, and to join me in urging our congressional delegation to support the Alternatives to PAIN Act.

Through both efforts, we can build a comprehensive approach to preventing opioid addiction before it starts and turn the tide on this ongoing crisis that’s striking tragedy in families across the country.