January - July 2022

Suspected Overdose Deaths: 9

Naloxone Administrations: 171

Opioid Prescriptions: 21,017

Source: NJ office of Attorney General (NJCARES)

Our first member spotlight segment is all about Allison Roberts! Allison is an attorney on the Drug-Free Task Force. Her knowledge about the recent cannabis legislation as well as other legal topics has been critical for us to effectively plan and strategize how to address this in our community with our youth. Read about Allison here!

If you have ever seen copy cat candies and drinks that look just like the original, you know how hard it is to tell the difference. You really need to look closely at the packaging. See the image above. Can you tell the difference when looking quickly? Imagine what would happen if children saw this packaging. Senate Bill SB 4628 was reintroduced into the senate that would create criminal penalties for the manufacture and sale of schedule 1 drugs (including in the form of candy or beverages. To find out more about this bill and to consider contacting your senator, click here.

Please watch this informative video about how youth are obtaining drugs through social media. It is an eye opening look at what they are seeing and doing. Please share this with any parents, teachers and caregivers you may know. To watch the video, click here

Many of us can remember that first day of school. Freshman year in High School is specifically challenging for many. We partnered with North Hunterdon High School, Prevention Resources and Positive YOUth to get Freshman at NHHS off to a great start. NHHS Principal and DFTF member, Dr. Greg Cottrell, developed the idea for a locker project for all incoming freshman. We created a special Help App information card and added some candy (Smarties & Lifesavers) to encourage them to download the app as an important resource. On the bag of candy it said:

We wish all students, teachers, administrators and parents an amazing school year! Dr. Cottrell even shared his thoughts with us. Watch the video and to download the HELP App click here

Thank you to the Clinton Township Police and the Readington Township Police departments for this year's National Night Out event! We teamed up with Positive YOUth, Safe Communities Coalition and Prevention Resources and had an opportunity to meet with county residents about our programs and provide information. Several residents completed a survey and won Amazon gift cards. It was a hot night, but we were happy to be there. Friends from law enforcement including the HC Prosecutor's Office and Sheriff's office were there too!

At our June Town Hall event, we heard from parents that they needed more information about what their kids are seeing in the community as it relates to substances and mental health. We have partnered with Prevention Resources, Safe Communities Coalition and Positive YOUth to bring resources to High Schools during "back to school" nights. We appreciate the school Principals giving us this opportunity. Be sure to stop by our table if you are attending any of the nights this Fall!

August 31st was International Overdose Awareness Day. We were honored to participate in the remembrance event at the Open Door Recovery Center. Thank you to all who came out. A special shout out to DFTF members: Mike DeMatos (OORP), Stacey Becker (HC Dep't of Human Services), Tim Drew (HC Prosecutor's Office) and Jeff Moore (HCRHS) for supporting the event!

Join us and our partners as we walk to "break the stigma" surrounding mental health and substance misuse on Saturday, September 10th! Our in-person event will be at Kingwood Township Park from 11:00 - 1:00 but you can also participate virtually anywhere! Click here for more information. You can register here.

Mark your calendars for the annual One Voice Summit being held on September 20, 2022 from 10:00 am-1:00pm at Beaver Brook Country Club. Enjoy important presentations, discussions and an opportunity to network. Lunch is provided. You can register here.

Come support the Hunterdon County Stigma Free Task Force at Deer Path Park on October 1st. There will be lots of fun activities and games for all ages. Contact Stacey Becker for more information or any questions.

Join us and our partners at the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce for their annual Golf Classic on Monday October 3rd at Hawk Pointe Golf Club! For more information and to register click here!

Be sure to mark your calendars for a fun event! Join us for the Farm to Fork event on Tuesday evening October 18th at Unionville Vineyard in Ringoes.

Join Prevention Resources and both of the Family Success Centers for the semi annual parent conference on October 20th. It will be held virtually from 10-12.

Registration information coming soon!