PREVENTIONPRESS. Howell School District Launches New Programs, L.E.A.D. and Suite360

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1 PREVENTIONPRESS Printed by the Howell Municipal Alliance 2017 Volume 9 Issue 6 Volunteers of the Howell Alliance strive to build a stronger community for a better tomorrow through substance abuse prevention, education, and awareness, with a focus on Howell s youth. The Howell Township Police Department collected over 400 pounds of unwanted prescriptions since December, 2016 through the Project Medicine Drop box in the Howell Police Department lobby (24-7, anonymous access); the spring Operation Take-Back; Howell Alliance senior community collections; and the Howell Alliance s prescription disposal bags. Thanks to all who contributed to keeping our community safe! Howell School District Launches New Programs, L.E.A.D. and Suite360 For the school year, the Howell Township Public School District launched two new evidence-based life skills initiatives, L.E.A.D. s Too Good for Drugs and Evolution Labs Suite360, to enhance students social and emotional wellness. L.E.A.D The Law Enforcement Against Drugs (L.E.A.D.) Too Good for Drugs program is provided by the Mendez Foundation and paid for by a state grant. L.E.A.D. aims to increase protective factors while reducing risk factors related to the use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. Launched in October, the L.E.A.D. framework links students, families, schools, and communities as students cover 10 in-class workshops and then complete extended reinforcement activities at home with family members. In the Howell Township K-to-8 school district, Jeanna Ribon, the district s student assistance coordinator, and Officer Maureen McBride, Howell Police Department s K-8 school resource officer, Call to Save a Life in an Overdose or Underage Drinking Medical Crisis Those witnessing a drug overdose or underage drinking medical crisis are encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance to save a life. Two key pieces of legislation in New Jersey protect callers and those in the overdose or underage drinking medical crisis from arrest, conviction, and prosecution. The Overdose Prevention Act (May, 2013) responded to the increasing number of overdose deaths that are often preventable with appropriate medical intervention. Under the act, Good Samaritan legal protection is granted to witnesses calling or seeking medical assistance during a suspected prescription or illegal drug overdose; overdose victims receiving the emergency care are also protected from continued on page 2 continued on page 2 Don t miss: Know & Respect Your Brain!...page 3 Seton Hall Fire Survivors Stress Situational Awareness to Howell High School Seniors...back cover Page 1

2 COVER STORIES CONTINUED Howell School District Launches New Programs, L.E.A.D. and Suite360 collaboratively teach the Too Good for Drugs lessons to all of the district s fifth graders, which start with goal setting and cover topics such as decision-making, identifying and managing emotions, effective communication, bonding and relationships, managing mistakes, peer pressure refusal, and the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use. The program culminates with a graduation and celebration of success, a reachable goal that reinforces students commitments to social and emotional wellness and positive life choices. Officer McBride and I selected the fifth graders as our L.E.A.D. student population because they will soon be transitioning to middle school. Too Good for Drugs can empower them to make positive choices as they face new social and emotional challenges in middle school, shared Ms. Ribon. Suite360 Suite360 is a web-based program that covers social and emotional wellness, character development, and health and wellness. Third through eighth-graders will participate in the program that offers online interactive lessons addressing critical social and emotional wellness topics. Topics can be assigned to students as a grade level, class, or group, or on an individual basis. Students use their Schoology user identification numbers and passwords for easy system access. The program offers monthly focus segments on character education; student suspension modules and reflections; discipline and harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) remediation for students; springboards for discussion between school counselors and individual students; and supplemental resources for health and physical education topics. The extensive suite of age-appropriate topics includes anxiety, general mental health, financial literacy, appreciating diversity, friendships, personal development, sexual health, body image, depression, dating, substance abuse, social media, online safety, and parents and family. Quick Pulse Surveys created by school counselors and completed by students will help determine critical topics and areas of focus for students in each school building. We are excited to expand our use of technology to include students ability to access personalized topics that address their individual social and emotional needs, commented Ms. Ribon. We would like to thank the district and the Howell Alliance for funding this program. Call to Save a Life in an Overdose or Underage Drinking Medical Crisis arrest, conviction, and prosecution from illegal drug possession or use. In addition, the legislation allows the administration of opioid overdose antidotes (Narcan) without a prescription. The New Jersey Lifeline Legislation (March, 2009) protects minors who call for medical assistance when another underage person s life is endangered by excessive alcohol consumption. For immunity under the law, minors must stay with the person in need of medical assistance until help arrives and then speak with medical and law enforcement authorities at the scene. The caller and the minor receiving medical treatment are protected from the usual prosecution under law for purchasing, possessing, or consuming alcohol under 21 years of age. Municipal Alliances across Monmouth County distributed the Save a Life, Call wallet cards (see accompanying image) as a discreet, convenient reminder for teens to immediately call or summon medical help when they suspect a drug overdose or alcohol poisoning, acting at the first sign of distress. The cards also list the simple steps teens should follow in the event of excessive alcohol consumption, an overdose, or other life-threatening medical emergency. Parents should regularly communicate with teens and college students about the dangerous, life-changing consequences that can arise when teens fail to call for help for fear of legal repercussions and how calling in these situations can save a life. Page 2

3 Know & Respect Your Brain! The human brain is composed of five different regions that control the entire body and almost all its functions, in coordination with the nervous system. In light of the brain s complexity and command over all you think and do, it is imperative to know and respect your brain. 5 Parts of the Brain 1. Cerebrum: 85% of the brain; has two halves, the left (analytical) and right (creative); controls thinking and voluntary (purposeful) movement; houses our short- and long-term memory and reasoning abilities. 2. Cerebellum: 12% of the size of the cerebrum; controls balance, movement, and muscle coordination. 3. Brain stem: connects the brain to the spinal cord; controls all involuntary (automatic) bodily functions that sustain life, such as breathing, circulating blood, and digesting food; oversees communication between body parts, such as the heart, lungs, stomach, and other organs. 4. Pituitary gland: the size of a pea; produces and releases hormones for growth, development, metabolism, and other bodily functions. 5. Hypothalamus: maintains the body s temperature. Alcohol and Substance Abuse Harm the Brain Alcohol and drug use alter brain chemicals and produce immediate negative side effects such as impaired cognition, learning, and decision-making; delayed responses; slurred speech; risky behavior; and diminished motor coordination. Substance abuse is a chronic, relapsing brain disease so powerful that the brain will keep craving the substance despite negative consequences. Permanent damage to the brain can also occur as alcohol and substance abuse damages the brain. These mind-altering substances change the brain s normal emotional states to cause extreme feelings of happiness, relaxation, alertness, euphoria, confidence, paranoia, anxiety, and more. Because the brain is smart, it craves more and more of the substance to further magnify the feelings, resulting in tolerance, addiction, increased usage, withdrawals, and sometimes, death. Although alcohol and substance abuse cause negative consequences for adult and adolescent brains, young brains are still developing, which increases the risk of permanent damage. To protect your brain, be sure to follow a healthy, nutritious diet; get proper sleep and exercise; wear a helmet while riding a bike or motorcycle or engaging in contact sports that require head protection; and refrain from alcohol and drug use. Learn more by visiting these article resources: Understanding the Effects of Long-Term Drug Use on the Brain Drug Abuse and Addiction Substances such as alcohol, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines, LSD, and ecstasy disrupt the brain s usual chain of communication and how the nerves receive, process, and send information. Page 3

4 Thank you to our Alliance sponsors. All proceeds from sponsorships go toward community-based prevention, education, and awareness programs and initiatives. Together, we can build a stronger community for a better tomorrow. PREVENTIONPRESS Printed by the Howell Municipal Alliance The Howell Alliance: Building a stronger community for a better tomorrow through prevention, education, and awareness. Published quarterly in print and distributed electronically. Print: 250 to 1,000 Electronic Distribution: 25,000 Prevention Press includes articles about current and upcoming events, township accomplishments and activities, and the latest information about prevention and awareness programs. Support YOUR COMMUNITY and advertise in Prevention Press! $125 per issue (minimum of a 3-issue commitment - $375 total) Save $50 with a 6-issue commitment (only $700) For questions and availability, contact: Howell Township Alliance Coordinator ext Artwork should be sent to linda@littlehat.marketing Page 4

5 Thank you to our Alliance sponsors. All proceeds from sponsorships go toward community-based prevention, education, and awareness programs and initiatives. Together, we can build a stronger community for a better tomorrow. PREVENTIONPRESS Printed by the Howell Municipal Alliance The Howell Alliance: Building a stronger community for a better tomorrow through prevention, education, and awareness. Prevention Press is published quarterly in print (250 to 1,000 copies) and distributed electronically (distribution: 25,000). For questions and availability, contact: Howell Township Alliance Coordinator ext Artwork should be sent to linda@littlehat.marketing Quarter page: Wide x 3.75 High Artwork: high resolution JPG or PDF Support YOUR COMMUNITY and advertise in Prevention Press! Prevention Press includes articles about current and upcoming events, township accomplishments and activities, and the latest information about prevention and awareness programs Rt. 9 North Aldrich Plaza (next to Walgreens) Page 5

6 Seton Hall Fire Survivors Stress Situational Awareness to Howell High School Seniors Seton Hall fire survivors Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons delivered a message of inspiration to Howell High School seniors on October 20th as part of Howell Fire Bureau s Fire Prevention Month education efforts. While sharing their recounts of the Bolan Hall dormitory fire that claimed the lives of three Seton Hall students and injured 58 students and firefighters on January 19th, 2000, Llanos and Simons also stress the necessity of maintaining situational awareness, making positive choices, and fighting to overcome challenges in college and beyond. prepare our current high school seniors for the potentially life-changing decisions they may face while living away from home for the first time. This presentation is a message of survival and the importance of situational awareness and making the right choices to promote health and safety. Howell Fire Bureau and Howell Fire District #1 with motivational speakers Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons, Seton Hall fire survivors. Heading off to college is a big transition for most teenagers, commented Howell Fire Bureau s Chief Robert Lewis. We take this opportunity to Llanos sustained third-degree burns over more than half of his body; Simons suffered secondand third-degree burns to 16% of his body and severe smoke inhalation. Both men endured lengthy, painful recoveries riddled with emotional, mental, and physical challenges. The Howell Municipal Alliance sponsored the presentation to support Howell youth and the Howell Fire Bureau, an active member of the Howell Alliance. Howell Police Anonymous Community Tip Line Available 24/7: Report suspicious activity at or download the P3 Tips app today! Thank you to our sponsors, who make this newsletter possible. Community Substance Abuse Assistance: Howell Municipal Alliance: ext Howell Police: ext For more information and volunteer opportunities visit: click on Departments, then Municipal Alliance. Monmouth County prevention and treatment resources list: Jeanna Ribon, Howell School District SAC (K-8): ext Camille Mussari, Howell High School SAC: ext NJ Connect: ; Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Parent Helpline: nd Floor Youth Helpline: (text or call) CFC Loud N Clear Foundation, , The mission of the Howell Alliance is to collaborate with residents, schools, town government, police, businesses, and other local organizations to prevent drug addiction, underage drinking, and tobacco use through promoting public awareness, education, outreach resources, life skills, and positive choices. Empty your medicine cabinet and save a life! Drop unwanted prescriptions in the Project Medicine Drop box at the Howell Police Department. Anonymous and available For information, visit: click on Departments, then Municipal Alliance, or call ext Volunteers are welcome! The Howell Township Municipal Alliance does not endorse and is not responsible for any resources referred or the services these resources provide. This publication is for informational purposes only. Educate yourself about substance abuse on the go! Get the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Drug Guide for Parents app in your Apple or Android device! (Newsletter writing by Christa Riddle of All About Writing and production by Linda Coppolino of Little Hat Marketing & Design.) Page 6