News Update March 2022
Volume XIV
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From January - November 2021 NJ Cares
Suspected Opioid Overdose deaths: 28
Naloxone Deployments (LE & EMS) reported: 60
Opioids Dispensed: 36,432

Medicinal marijuana dispensary permits issued - 2 in Flemington

  • Alexandria Township has defeated a request for a grow facility.
  • Readington: The Verano grow facility on Route 22 is seeking additional cannabis licenses for recreational use approved by Town Council.
Now needs Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) approval.
  • Franklin Township is considering a cannabis ordinance that would allow four types of cannabis businesses: Cultivation, Manufacturing, Wholesale/Distribution and Micro-cultivation. click here to read the ordinance
  • High Bridge: Ordinance 2022-008 - Cannabis Retail Business- “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 145 OF THE LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE TO PERMIT THE OPERATION OF CLASS 5 CANNABIS RETAILER BUSINESSES IN THE BOROUGH’S DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ZONE, WITH CONDITIONS, AND AMENDING CHAPTER 365 – TAXATION AND ADDING CHAPTER 137 – CANNABIS OF THE GENERAL CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE” Public hearing scheduled for 3/17/22 @ 7:30 PM
  • Kingwood: "Essential Cannabis" presented at council meeting in February for a 50,000 sq ft cultivation facility.
  • West Amwell: GMNJ Properties applied to the township planning board to convert the former First Pentecostal Prayer of Faith Church into a 30,000 sq ft. cultivation facility. Public hearing is scheduled for 3/15/22
  • Lambertville: Class 5 cannabis retail license applications:
  1. 10-12 Church St.,
  2. 80 Lambert Ln (former Riverhorse Brewery property),
  3. 204 N. Union St. (on agenda for 3/2/22 planning bd mtg)

Vaping is still an epidemic

The Drug-Free Task Force has partnered with Prevention Resources on a number of PSA's for our community. These PSA's are available on our website as well as being disseminated by our schools. You can view our PSA here: Youth Vaping Please feel free to share these with the community.
The "Tall Cop" Jermaine Galloway, recently posted that he has seen an increase in vaping use as well as a change in common vaping products. Where they had 300-800 hits or puffs just a year or two ago, they are now containing thousands of puffs or hits! In addition, the pricing seems to be decreasing making them easier to afford!
Underage Drinking

Our partnership with Prevention Resources has resulted in a new PSA about alcohol, safe storage and parents helping to protect their children by preventing underage drinking. See the PSA here

Call to Action

Based on recent events in Connecticut, we are calling on our Middle Schools to ensure that they are equipped with Naloxone (Narcan)! There were recent cases that involved a 13 year old who died from Fentanyl and now all Middle Schools in CT have Naloxone. We need to make sure this is in our schools as well. Please contact Stacey Becker and she can provide information about and connect you with Narcan and the Hope One Van.
UPCOMING EVENTS

Older Adult Program

This is a free virtual program to be held on March 8th at 6 PM. There will be giveaways to all that register! Learn more by contacting Nick Marcantuono and register here


Strengthening Families

This interactive 5-part program for families is being offered remotely in both English and Spanish. Call 908-237-0465 to register. You can get more info here



ESL classes

English as a Second Language classes are being offered both remotely and in-person. Call Claudia at 908-237-0465 to register. You can get more info here



Recovery Yoga

Join Rocky Schwartz in a virtual yoga session each Thursday. Helps to reduce stress and prevent relapse. Zoom link to join
Drug-Free Task Force Upcoming Meetings
Monday, April 4th* this is a date change
Monday, June 13th
For information on the Drug-Free Task Force, contact Laura Talty or Wendy Sidebottom
For information on the Partnership for Health contact Kim Blanda
The Drug-Free Task Force is a work group with the Partnership for Health. The Drug Free Communities grant is staffed and managed by Prevention Resources Inc.