MANALAPAN – Local, state and national newspapers post daily stories of drug arrests and responses to overdoses – with successful and unsuccessful efforts of saving a person.
In addition, there are news stories of state and national efforts to address the over-prescribing of pain medicine. The news seems endless and the ability for any one person to make a difference seems beyond reach, according to a press release from the Manalapan-Englishtown Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
The alliance does not want to give in to stagnation on this issue. Instead, the alliance wants to mobilize a community-based effort to fight the problem and empower the members of the community to be pre-emptive on the issue and employ strategies and efforts to prevent alcohol and drug abuse, according to the press release.
To that end, the alliance will host an open house program on Jan. 30 at Manalapan High School, Church Lane, Manalapan.
The evening, which is for individuals age 18 and over, will start with refreshments being served at 6:30 p.m., followed by the program at 7:15 p.m. All members of the residential and business communities of Manalapan and Englishtown are invited and encouraged to attend, according to the press release.
Parents who want to bring their children (18 and older) are also encouraged to attend to help broach or broaden their in-home conversations about drugs and alcohol.
The program will feature a presentation by Bill Lillis of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey – an organization that was created in 1992 as a substance abuse prevention program to help strengthen initiatives and educate parents through conferences throughout the state.
The program at the high school will further introduce participants to the alliance and its members. Alliance leaders will present state data about current trends and the most recent levels of drug activity in New Jersey’s communities, according to the press release.
The presentation will include the sharing of strategies to engage children and youth in productive conversations and early intervention actions individuals can take in their homes or businesses on how to identify early signs of abuse and how to get help, according to the press release.
There is no cost to attend the Jan. 30 program and no obligation for additional action. For more information, contact Manalapan health officer Keith Levine at 732-446-8345 or email health@mtnj.org
