TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The Latest on Gov. Chris Christie’s vigil on ending the stigma tied to addiction. (all times local):
5:30 p.m.
Republican Gov. Chris Christie says it’s time to quit the notion that there’s shame in being addicted to drugs.
Calling addiction a disease, Christie said at candlelight vigil on Wednesday that as long as he’s the governor, the state won’t “give up on people.”
Christie spoke briefly at the vigil staged on the statehouse steps, standing alongside former Democratic Gov. Jim McGreevey and other state officials. They were joined by residents celebrating their sobriety and several members of Christie’s cabinet.
Christie has made combatting the stigma of drug addiction a priority of his administration.
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11 a.m.
Republican Gov. Chris Christie is hosting a candlelight vigil at the statehouse aimed at ending the stigma of drug addiction.
Christie will appear Wednesday on the statehouse steps, along with former Democratic Gov. Jim McGreevey and other officials.
Christie’s office says the event is in support of people, friends and families of those affected by drug addiction and in honor of those who have died from it.
It comes as the governor is running radio ads encouraging people to call the state’s addiction support hotline, 211. The ads will run through New Year’s Rve. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The two-term governor has focused on fighting addiction by expanding drug courts and planning to convert a closed prison to a treatment center.
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