The HOPE Initiative Act aims to establish a comprehensive public awareness campaign to educate New Jersey citizens about the dangers and causes of heroin and opioid addiction, as well as appropriate responses to these issues. The act mandates the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in collaboration with various organizations including the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, to develop and oversee the Heroin and Opioid Drug Public Education (HOPE) Initiative. This initiative will disseminate information through various media channels, targeting different audiences, and will focus on educating the public about the pathways to addiction, the myths surrounding opioid abuse, the effects and warning signs of addiction, and available resources for seeking help.

Additionally, the bill requires the division to regularly monitor the effectiveness of the HOPE Initiative through annual focus groups and household surveys, with a mandate to refine the campaign based on feedback. The initiative will also promote the use of naloxone for overdose prevention, highlight the benefits of substance abuse treatment, and encourage public-private partnerships to enhance information dissemination. The Commissioner of Human Services is authorized to adopt necessary regulations to implement the act, which takes effect immediately upon passage.