New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to convene drug addiction conference

EAST BRUNSWICK -- Gov. Chris Christie will convene a drug recovery conference later this month in Newark.

His office says the Sept. 30 event is aimed at reducing the stigma associated with addiction.

Christie has made drug rehabilitation one of his signature issues as he considers a run for president in 2016.

The Republican governor joined House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and other officials this week at the ribbon cutting for a prisoner re-entry center in Jersey City. Christie said he believed strongly in giving low-level drug offenders second chances.

The announcement comes the same day a bipartisan group of state lawmakers announced a package of 21 bills aimed at curbing heroin and prescription drug abuse.

The package includes a bill that would allocate more money for substance abuse prevention.