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 to reach diverse audiences, including drug users, their families, medical professionals, and employers. The campaign will focus on educating the public about the pathways to addiction, debunking myths surrounding opioid abuse, and promoting available resources for treatment and prevention.

Additionally, the act 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 emphasize culturally and linguistically appropriate messaging to ensure respect for individual dignity and cultural differences. The Commissioner of Human Services is authorized to adopt necessary regulations to implement the act's provisions. Overall, the HOPE Initiative Act seeks to proactively address the opioid epidemic in New Jersey by fostering awareness and providing essential resources to combat addiction.