For more than 40 years dedicated to building healthy families and communities.
Changing the Face of Addiction Walk

Two mothers joined together by pain and heartache through the loss of their children have taken a stand to honor their son's memories, change the face of addiction and help others find recovery. Join them by becoming a sponsor or registering to walk on Saturday, August 5th for the 3rd Annual Changing the Face of Addiction Walk in Franklin. 

The purpose of this walk is to raise awareness and funds for our family, friends and neighbors in Sussex County that need addiction treatment and services. One hundred percent of your donation will go directly to the Center for Prevention and Counseling to help those in need of services access treatment and find their path to recovery.
 
Last year over 400 people participated and we hope to surpass that number this year. Please join others to change the face of addiction on Saturday, August 5th by becoming a sponsor. 
 
JUNE 2017 ISSUE
Changing the Face of Addiction Walk
Marijuana: Potency, Policy and Public Impact Conference Recap
Tobacco Age of Sale 21
What's Happening in Recovery
CFPC is Highlighted
WSCC Youth Leadership Camp Weekend
Summer Prevention
The Center's Happenings
Family Night Out
Regional Coalition Meetings
WISE- Brookside Terrace
Marijuana: Potency, Policy and Public Impact Conference Recap

The Center's May 3 Spring Conference highlighted Kevin Sabet, Kevin Wong, Frank Greenagel and Rutgers University neuroscientist, Bonnie Nolan who presented facts while interacting with the audience offering a look at marijuana use today. Participants were asked to focus on prevention to avoid commercialization of another addictive industry in our country. Marijuana is not the same drug it used to be as THC levels have dramatically increased while the creation of new products such as marijuana wax, oil and shatter are being promoted. In states where legalization of recreational marijuana has occurred, youth use is on the rise. Remember 4:20?  
Tobacco Age of Sale 21

Nearly all smokers start as kids or young adults. National data shows that about 95% of adult smokers begin smoking before they turn 21. About 580 kids under the age of 18 become regular smokers each day. Tobacco companies intentionally market to youth knowing that nearly all users become addicted before the age of 21. Raising the minimum legal sale age for tobacco products to 21 is a promising strategy to reduce smoking, the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems and other tobacco use among youth. A March 2015 report by the National Academy of Medicine strongly concluded that raising tobacco age of sale to 21 will significantly reduce the number of youth who start smoking.

What's Happening in Recovery?

Drop-in for Recovery the 2nd Monday of every month between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at The Center, 65 Newton Sparta Rd in Newton, to learn about treatment and recovery support--even online recovery resources, and walk away with hope and a plan. Many times, people don't know where to turn for help when they may be experiencing problems with substance use or are struggling because of a loved one's drug use. At this free, confidential and supportive drop-in event, you will be able to talk to trained recovery volunteers and staff, including a licensed clinician ready to help you with your individual circumstances. If you represent a treatment or recovery program and would like to have a table , please contact Katie at katie@centerforprevention.org or (973)383-4787 Ext.222.
 
Journey through Arts & Music the second Saturday of the month at 6 p.m. at The Center...

CFPC is Highlighted

Being recognized by the nation's lead governmental agency that oversees community prevention, treatment and recovery initiatives, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is a really great honor! This year, The Center for Prevention and Counseling (CFPC) was  highlighted as SAMHSA's success story for our hard work and dedication with a "Communities Talk: Town Hall Meeting to Prevent Underage Drinking." CFPC is grateful to have received this recognition and continues to work hard to get the truth out regarding the consequences of underage drinking. Every April, CFPC recognizes youth who enter their Alcohol Awareness Month PSA contest and invite the community to attend a Town Hall Meeting. Along with their families at this Town Hall Meeting to acknowledge them, youth not only facilitate presentations but they are recognized for being up and coming community members with solutions to prevent underage drinking. Attendees at this year's standing room only Town Hall Meeting included Newton Chief of Police, Michael Richards, school administrators...
WSCC Youth Leadership Camp Weekend

The weekend of June 2nd-4th marked The Center's 6th annual Youth Leadership Camp. Pam Pastorino and Ashley LeBelle, School Health Specialists working under the WSCC (Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child) grant, orchestrated a jam packed weekend including outdoor activities, leadership training opportunities, team building exercises and personal growth at the Fairview Lake YMCA Camp in Stillwater, NJ. Fifty-four middle and high school students from an array of schools from Perth Amboy to Vernon Township were chosen to attend the three day-two night camp. Students participated in activities such as: archery, boating, tie dye and small group training workshops led by Marc Fusco, a teacher at Union City High School, and the coordinator of Project Pursuit , an NJDOH grant funded initiative. Mr. Fusco shared the importance of recognizing the stakeholders in our lives and becoming stakeholders for others...

Summer Prevention

School is out and Sussex County teens are enjoying the start to a long summer!  While summer brings sun, fun and freedom, it also brings an increased risk for alcohol and other drug use among teens. Summertime means more free time and often times with reduced adult supervision. Outdoor summer recreational activities like swimming, boating, biking and hiking require our attention when safety is concerned and adding alcohol and other drugs to the mix increases the risk. According to The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration , (SAMHSA), first time teen alcohol and other drug use peaks in the summer. Teens are much more likely to try alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs for the first time during the summer months according to research and data collected from SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health...