Gubernatorial Debate Turns to Opioid Crisis and Business Ties

During a heated debate, Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill accused her Republican opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, of profiting from the opioid epidemic through his business ventures. She highlighted controversy surrounding Ciattarelli’s past work with medical publishing companies, claiming they promoted misinformation about opioids.

Sherrill pointed out that Ciattarelli co-founded Galen Publishing, which produced materials on pain management that critics say underplayed the risks of opioid misuse. One such publication claimed that the risk of addiction was low for patients without prior substance issues, a statement published in a deal partially funded by the pharmaceutical industry.

She linked this to the broader opioid crisis, asserting, “Tens of thousands of New Jerseyans died. And then he was paid to develop an app that facilitated easier access to opioids for addicts.”

Ciattarelli did not directly deny the accusations but shot back, criticizing Sherrill for her stance on border issues, especially regarding the influx of individuals during the Biden administration, implying they contributed to the fentanyl crisis.

According to reports, Ciattarelli’s company made over $12 million from a contract with the University of Tennessee’s pharmacy school, with critics claiming industry influence on the educational materials. Ciattarelli’s campaign stated the university oversaw the content and faculty prepared the materials.

The debate brought opioid issues back into focus amid declining overdose death numbers in New Jersey, with 2,800 deaths recorded in 2023—a drop from 3,100 the previous year. Despite the controversy, the state’s overdose death rate remains lower than neighboring states.