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 ...
Mercer Council News
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...
In 2019, more than 3,000 people died of a drug overdose in New Jersey. This tragic total actually represented a decrease from the previous year and perhaps a positive sign of progress being made in the fight against the opioid crisis. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged New Jersey and the nation, overdose deaths have increased once again with the state on pace to experience roughly 3,200...
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...
On July 23rd, the Prevention Coalition of Mercer County, Mercer Council and WBCB 1490AM Radio collaborated together to broadcast an hour-long forum on the impact of COVID 19 on the student athletes' social and emotional well-being. Panelists included Jon Adams, Athletic Director of Nottingham High School in Hamilton Township, Bill Bruno from NJSIAA and Dr. Mike Gross, a clinical and s...
As New Jersey begins to slowly open up bars and restaurants, two alcohol establishments in Mercer County are taking advant...