By David Cruz
Correspondent
It’s hard to argue against the benefits of a governor advocating for more access to drug treatment and an end to the stigma of drug dependence. It’s a theme the governor has explored (some suggest exploited) many times, before and during his campaigns for governor and president. But in the absence of any interaction with New Jersey press, and his refusal to answer any questions, today’s visit to the Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead had the feeling of a politician in free fall looking to find some familiar ground on which to land.
“My mother was an addict. She was addicted to nicotine,” he said, recounting a familiar story. “And she started smoking when she was 16 years old and despite all different types of efforts, she smoked until she died at 71, predictably of lung cancer.”
Also discussed was the viral video of the governor talking about his friend who died after a battle with opioid addiction.
“I just answered a question at a town hall and people with cameras just happened to be there and get struck by it and cut it and put it on the internet on their site and like you said, we’re over 5 million hits on that,” he told the audience of approximately 50 Carrier Clinic staff and volunteers. “That doesn’t happen much. The only thing I’ve done that’s gotten more hits than that was dancing on the Jimmy Fallon show.”
The folks at Carrier, which has been providing addiction recovery services to teens and adults for almost 35 years, were just happy to have the governor there to highlight their programs.
“It’s just a great honor for us for him to come here and just to bring some of his passion to add to what we do and the compassion that we engage here at Carrier,” said CEO Don Parker.
Recovering addict Keith Kloos, who is on the Carrier Clinic staff, also thanked the governor for his visit. “I’m an advocate for recovery and recovering addicts,” he said. “I think also recovering addicts need to go out there and show that we do recover, you know. People do get better and we see that there and that’s why we’re so passionate.”
But the governor, who once upon a time couldn’t find a camera he didn’t like, is now as averse to press questions as a recovering smoker walking past a cigar shop. Today was no exception. Asked if he’d be taking any questions, the governor answered tersely, “No. Absolutely not.”
There may yet come a day when this governor finds a press question worthy of an answer, but, for now, he seems content to hit and run with familiar themes in front of friendly faces.