Mercer Council News

In light of the recent pandemic, Mercer Council decided after careful consideration, to close our office space in order to do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19. Mercer Council Team is working from home remotely as we navigate this pandemic. Amidst disruptions to work and life in general, our team is working hard and doing the best we can considering the circumstances. We are proud of what o...

Simple stress relief activites that can be done at home during this lockdown. I hope all is well, we will all get through this.

As our days seem to be filled with the unknown, the anxiety we feel seems to be increasing. COVID-19 has affected everyone in some capacity. As a LifeSkills Training facilitator, I have had to apply the skills that I teach my students to myself and my family. One thing that I have decided to use is my logic side of the brain and not my anxiety side. My logic side sent me right to the LST technique...

Our brain is the boss of our body, in charge of everything we do as human beings, and the most important part of our body. These statements are just a few of the many important messages children learn in the Protecting You, Protecting Me alcohol use prevention program delivered by Mercer Council. Our brain is so important, it has a whole week dedicated to it! Brain Awareness week was introduced in...

To our valued Community Partners -  We hope this email finds you safe and healthy. In light of the recent pandemic, Mercer Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction has decided after careful consideration, to close our office space in order to do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19.  Staff will be working from remotely, checking email, checking voicemail and responding at t...

The landscape is evolving rapidly regarding the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), with institutions restricting large gatherings, federal and state agencies restricting travel and the Governor declaring a state of emergency in New Jersey. Considering these actions, the planning committee determined it is best to postpone the April 2nd DRUGS: Get the Facts 2020 Summit for a few months...

As more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana, some pregnant women have turned to using marijuana to ease nausea or other pregnancy symptoms. However, researchers don’t know a lot about what the effects might be and while the research is in progress, most experts advise pregnant women not to use marijuana. The U.S. Surgeon General has this to say: I, Surgeon General VADM Jerome Adams,...

  Mercer Council and the Prevention Coalition of Mercer County are partnering with Rider University, the County Prosecutor's Office and the American Academy of Pediatrics to discuss local and national drug trends on April 2nd at a countywide forum.  The event will be held from 6 - 8pm at the Barty Leudeke Center - Cavalla Room on Rider University's campus in Lawrence Township.  The ...

Mercer Council and the Prevention Coalition of Mercer County are partnering with Rider University, the County Prosecutor's Office and the American Academy of Pediatrics to discuss local and national drug trends on April 2nd at a countywide forum.  The event will be held from 6 - 8pm at the Barty Leudeke Center - Cavalla Room on Rider University's campus in Lawrence Township.  The event i...

This week, Barbara Sprechman and Malissa Arnold  joined more than 3,000 substance misuse prevention specialists and advocates from throughout the country for CADCA's (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's) 30th Annual Leadership Forum at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.   CADCA's Forum covered a wide range of topics - everything from ho...

On Wednesday January 22nd, Ewing High School’s ASYSST Program observed Celebrate Life Day with an artistic flair! Using a rainbow of paint chips and Sharpies, students wrote out what things give them the most joy in life. Students arranged these, along with inspirational quotes and encouraging messages, into a colorful poster surrounded by the quote “Your life is a canvas, make sure you paint your...

On January 20, 2020, the ASYSST staff and two lovely students volunteered for a day of service at the Mercer County Community College(MCCC), James Kerney Campus in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther king Jr.. The day of service began with prayer, followed by a powerful message from Rev. Dr. Alyn Waller and then all the volunteers disbursed into mini groups for the different tasks they volunteered fo...

Last Friday I had the opportunity to train the bartending and wait staff from the Nassau Club of Princeton in responsible beverage training (TIPS).  The focus of TIPS training is to empower participants to follow accceptable standards of practice for serving alcohol beverages.  It is a skills-based training program designed to prevent intoxication, underage drinking, and drunk driving.&n...

Known for our dedication to substance related prevention in the Mercer County Community over the past 40+ years, many familiar with Mercer Council are unaware that we facilitate an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides free, short-term, confidential counseling services for employees and household members of approximately 15-20 local businesses.   Mercer Council has licensed and...

(Our very own Malissa, stood for two alliances- Ewing and Lawrence)   On Wednesday, January 16th, The Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse sponsored the annual Municipal Alliance Volunteer Recognition Dinner. It was a night full of networking, recognizing common goals, and bringing to light all the hard work townships do every year. It was a night of celebrating and featuring a par...

January 9, 2020 was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Thanks to our School Security Coordinator, Don Ellison, for connecting us with retired local, law enforcement officer, George Cahill.  Mr. Cahill also works for the Ewing High School district, and agreed to speak with our students in observance of the day. Our goal was to host a discussion about bridging the relationship gap between law en...

Several ASYSST Members met the staff on Saturday December 28 at Preferred Care Nursing and Rehab Center to meet and greet a group of nursing home residents for a combined art project. The initiative was spearheaded by Shakita Johnson ( youth development specialits) who organized New Year stencils and colored pencils and markers. Students strategically sat at the tables with the residents and engaged in friendly "chit chat" while coloring.  The residents enjoyed the opportunity to interact with students and vice versa.  90 year old resident Esther P. quipped "They are such well behaved kids, they can visit us anytime". 16 year old ASYSST Student Morris reported " I learned a lot from the seniors... I really liked doing this!"

Program Director Gregory Smith said  "Our hope is to engage the students from ASYSST in similar projects in the future as a way to learn to give back and in the process receive so much more"

On Thursday December 5, 2019, Mercer Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction hosted a company holiday dinner. The evening was filled with an abundance of good food, good friends, and good times. This exquisite event was not only a time of gathering and reflection, but also a time of appreciation. Mercer Council celebrated each other with heart-filled words of affirmation that was shared by the Me...

Matt Kiefer, owner of Kiefer Landscaping, and longstanding Board Member of the Mercer Council, planned and implemented the beginning stages of an exciting new project that the Mercer Council will begin developing in the new year.   Matt has tapped into his craft to leave a lasting impact on the Mercer Council grounds and on the critical prevention work we do, and lives we touch.  We...

On December 5th 2019, the Center For Family Services sponsored a workshop entitled "Creating An Infrastructure That Supports Peer Provider Integration Into Traditional Service Delivery" at the Burlington County Emergency Services Education complex in Westampton NJ. As a Peer Specialist working for MCADA on the Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP), I was fortunate to be able to attend this train...