We are pleased to report that in early October, Governor Phil Murphy devised a last minute budget adjustment with the support of several legislative leaders that approved the restoration of the School Based Youth Service Program! This decision results in the restoration of Mercer Council’s ASYSST Program and nearly 100 other school based youth service programs, effective O...
Please join us on Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 10am to take part in a 1 hour webinar on combating substance abuse in today's young adolescents. This webinar will be presented by Vanessa DeRosa, Protecting You, Protecting Me Program Coordinator and Amy Argiriou, Botvin's Life Skills Training Program Coordinator. Topics to be discussed include the dangers of underage drinking, effects of alcohol an...
If you ask anyone in prevention about how they feel about the legalization of marijuana for recreational use, and 80% of them will answer with the same phrase- I am worried about the mixed messages being sent to youth. And they aren’t wrong. Legalization of marijuana is a mix of emotions no matter where it is discussed- it is touted as the savior of economies and social/racial injustice, a r...
Have a healthy family recipe you think is above the rest? It's time to put it to the test and show others why yours is best! Reminder to all students in grades K-5 that recipe submissions are still being accepted now until November 2, 2020. Students who submit their recipes will receive a goodie bag filled with Mercer Council items and will be automatically entered to win 1 of 3 $25 ShopRite gift ...
This November, and earlier, considering mail-in ballots, voters are casting votes to amend the New Jersey Constitution to allow recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 or older, or as many refer to it, cannabis. Here are some general facts about marijuana and the legalization process that may require more consideration. Marijuana has been a Schedule 1 drug that has been outlawed for any...
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mercer Council staff wore pink and spent a portion of our weekly staff meeting discussing the importance of prioritizing health and how Council's work in substance use prevention enducation impacts the overall health and well-being of every individual. Here at Mercer Council we strive each day to offer programming to foster a healthy, safe ...
This November, and earlier considering mail-in ballots, voters are casting votes to amend the New Jersey Constitution to allow recreational use of marijuana, or as many refer to it, cannabis. “ The interpretive statement is as follows: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA Do you approve amending the Constitution to legalize a controlled form of marijuana called “cannabis”? O...
The Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP) team has been hard at work during the pandemic, ensuring that the invaluable Recovery Support services typically provided, continue to be available, accessible and effective no matter what challenges and barriers are going on in the world right now. The Mercer OORP team has worked with 921 individuals to ...
Food is an essential element for survival and especially now in these uncertain times, food can increase closeness and unite families and communities through sharing meals together. National Eat Better, Eat Together month serves to promote healthy eating habits among individuals of all ages. The benefits of families who frequently eat dinner together (at least five times per week) include improved...
Mercer Council team members Malissa Arnold, Jocelyn Cooper and David DeCamp all spent their Saturday supporting strong community partner, Recovery Advocates of America as they hosted their 8th Annual 5k Fundraising Walk/Run. Despite the pandemic, Recovery Advocates safely hosted another very popular and well attended event (over 400 participants!!), that not only raises awareness about subst...
Friday afternoon September 4th was a day that will live long in the history of school-based youth service programs. It’s a day where the students of the program took a voice to speak about the value of the program, services, and resources School Based Services offers to over 90 sites across the state of New Jersey. As an employee of Mercer Council and having been a part of the school-based youth s...
Election Day is quickly approaching on November 3rd, 2020! Voting is a privilege to those who are able and an opportunity for the many voices of our communities to be heard. Each year on Election Day, Mercer Council closes their office to allow staff to prioritize exercising their right to vote. Although the election will look slightly different this year and most of our staff wi...
Sign up today for Protecting You, Protecting Me lessons! Evidence-based alcohol use prevention program for Grades K-5No cost to schoolsVirtual and/or in person instruction availableSample preview virtual lessons available upon request Please visit the following link for more information: Protecting You, Protecting Me Alcohol Use Prevention Program To inquire more about the program and/or for...
During August, and especially on International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31st), we remember and honor the lives of those who lost their battle with Substance Use Disorder. During September, which has been designated by SAMHSA as National Recovery Month, we realign our perspectives to honoring and supporting those who have embraced recovery over active addiction. September has beco...
Action Requested: Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer CUTS ALL Funding to School Based Youth Services Program, (Our ASYSST Program) eliminating mental health services for students. Several weeks ago I began working on a glowing report to share about the incredible Virtual Leadership Academy the ASYSST School Based youth Services Program successfully implemented the last week in ...
Hello Community! At the end of each cycle for the Trenton Municipal Alliance Grant, the Coordinator- along with the Mercer County Division of Youth does an undertaking called The Calendar Project. We specifically ask them to express how drugs, alcohol, and violence has shaped their lives and they express that through poems, drawings, and paintings. We collaborate with primary and middle school stu...
Please Join Us for this Virtual Event! Zoom link: Zoom Link for IOAD Event on Thursday August 27th Meeting ID: 867 8890 9129 Passcode: 640777
Due to the COVID19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing protocols, there has been an increased need for virtual programs. To fulfill this need and continue our mission to reduce substance abuse through education, Mercer Council has put together a host of Virtual Programs that will benefit our community organizations and partners. Please take a look and share with others the programs of...
The Perfect Storm When opioid addiction and COVID-19 diverge or meet head-on this has created the perfect storm. Both catastrophic events have caused unprecedented challenges to the healthcare system impacting the care that is vital to our patient/client population. COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives from uncertainty of our health as well as our families, unemployment, financial conce...
Cadca Mid-Year Training Institute Members of the Mercer Council had the honor and privilege of attending the 2020 CADCA’s Virtual Mid-Year Training Institute. Barbara Sprechman, Amy Argiriou, Vanessa DeRosa, and Malissa Arnold spent the week of July 26-30th in intensive, informative, and enlightening virtual workshops. Attendees had over 80 training sessions to choose from. Topics ranged fro...
For the last day of Pride month at 2 PM, we are hosting a Netflix watch party featuring the documentary The Life and Death of Marsha P. Johnson. Marsha P. Johnson was a Black trans woman that was an icon of the LGBTQ+ movement and was considered a heroine of the Stonewall Riots. Many are unaware that the LGBTQ+ community has an alarmingly high rate of substance use challenges. Man...
Many of us have experienced some sort of traumatic event in our lives, and times like the present can intensify feelings such as hopelessness and fear. "Trauma is an exposure to an extraordinary experience that presents a physical or psychological threat to oneself or others and generates a reaction of helplessness and fear (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). The exposure may have...
Our hearts are heavy, as we mourn and attempt to process the lives we've recently lost, who were taken from their families and communities too soon, unjustly and unfairly. As we sit and reflect on the recent tragedies, we understand and acknowledge that this racial and systematic injustice has been pervasive and long standing and that the result has been countless loss of lives for so many b...
Our thoughts are with our community, colleagues, partners, first responders and front line and essential workers during this challenging time! We are in this together, and because of that, we are stronger. Thinking of you and sending positive energy for health and well-being. Our staff have been very hard at work, continuing to deliver important services to the community, in meaningful and creativ...
Since 1949 May has been observed as Mental Health Month in the United States, and according to NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness): 1 in 5 adults in the US experience a mental health condition in any given year. During this time of physical distancing, managing good mental health can be challenging. However, there are 2 practical tools anyone can use to add to their daily routine...
What do trampolines, toy trucks, popsicles, water talkies, earmuffs, and pringles hooks have in common? They were all invented by kids! May is National Inventor's Month! It's time to celebrate creativity and the inventions made by children and adults both in the past and present. Put on your thinking caps and check out the list of resources below dedicated to this topic. You might just discover th...
Want to stay connected with your kids? Try your cell phone.
Looking for a fun and interactive activity to play with your bored teen? Look no further than your own phone. I was recently chatting with my 20 plus year-old goddaughter about things to do during COVID-19 and she asked me if I had downloaded game pigeon? I had never heard about game pigeon. She explained that it was easy, fun and a way that I could interact with her as well as my two teenage children.
It’s as simple as downloading it from your app store. Its free and easy to download. Once another person has it on their phone, you can engage in playing fun games like scrabble, archery, pool and several other youth-oriented games. If you’re anything like me, you may only see your phone as a place to store numbers, but increasingly our phones are becoming our computers for a variety of life necessity functions. As far as I know, this is strictly for I phone users at the present time.
As we journey along during this unprecedented time, its important to find ways to stay connected. Something as simple as an interactive phone game with a teen sitting upstairs in their room alone can bridge a gap without seeming overzealous or irritating. It’s a simple invitation. And if they decline, don’t feel bad… you can even play some of the games alone. Even we adults need some time to break the monotony of our day.
Let’s continue to find creative ways to stay occupied, united and safe as we as we charter through COVID-19 together!
On May 5, 2020, people all around the world are coming together to tap into the power of human connection and strengthen communities at the grassroots level. Will you be one of them? We will be one of those participating organizations and we need your help! As a result of the pandemic, there will be trauma and increased incidences of substance use as a way for people to cope....
"IN TIMES OF GREAT STRESS OR ADVERSITY, IT'S ALWAYS BEST TO KEEP BUSY, TO PLOW YOUR ANGER AND YOUR ENERGY INTO SOMETHING POSITIVE." Lee Iacocca As we continue with our Covid-19 lockdo...
Today Is April 20th- 4/20, Do you know what this might mean? Often it is referred to as "Weed Day". Many myths exist about 4/20- No, it isn't the police code for Marijuana Use! While it IS a date, historically it is linked to the time of day that youth use- after school and club responsibilities, and usually when parents are at work and there is little supervision.&nb...
Mercer Council on Alcoholism & Drug Addiction
1931 Brunswick Avenue
Lawrence Township, NJ 08648
Tel - (609) 396-5874
Email - mcada@mercercouncil.org
Hours - Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm
