MENDHAM -- Gov. Chris Christie returned Wednesday to a drug-treatment center near his home to discuss redefining the perception and handing of substance abuse.

It was not a new topic for Christie, who declared combatting drug addiction his top priority in his final State of the State speech last month.

"We're trying to break down this idea that an addict is a lesser person," Christie said while meeting with recovering addicts and others at Daytop New Jersey.

Gov. Christie speaking about drug addiction

Christie went to Daytop one day after he proposed starting drug education in kindergarten.

Christie, a resident of neighboring Mendham Township, has a longtime connection to Daytop and is a former member of its board of directors.

Some in the conference room on Wednesday, including a father and son, shared their stories with Christie. 

One participant spoke of a time, not long ago, when he was "using heroin just to get out of the bedroom in the morning."

A parent of a recovering addict alluded to the DARE anti-drug problem for children, saying she wished such a program existed for parents so they could recognized the signs.

Christie asked about their experiences while providing an overview on what he hopes to accomplish on the issue in his final 11 months as governor. 

"We need to stop thinking about this issue as a moral failing," Christie said.

"Too many families are unwilling to come forward and admit that the problem exists in their family," the governor added.

"Too many people who have the problem are unwilling to ask for help, and the reason for that, I think, is because we have made those folks feel as if admitting to this disease is admitting to being a bad person," Christie said.

Christie, a U.S. attorney prior to running for governor, reiterated his view that "just to try to, kind of, arrest your way out of the problem, and throw as many people in jail as we possibly could" did not work.

"That failed," said Christie, adding that law enforcement should continue to target dealers and those profiting off the epidemic while providing assistance to addicts.

The meeting with Christie lasted for more than an hour and he did not discuss, nor was he asked, about President Donald Trump or any topics unrelated to drug addiction.

He left without taking questions from reporters. 

Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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