Hunterdon County Safe Communities Coalition

Reducing Youth Abuse of Alcohol, Marijuana, Tobacco, Prescriptions, and Other Drugs

Welcome to the Hunterdon County Safe Communities Coalition Website

WHAT IS THE SAFE COMMUNITIES COALITION?

We are a coalition comprised of members from our schools, community, and parents/families. Our vision is to minimize alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse in our community that provides a healthier and safer environment.

The coalition's mission is to reduce youth abuse of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs in Hunterdon County through widespread community collaboration, environmental change and community education.

Anyone interested in joining and/or supporting our coalition, can email Lesley Gabel at lgabel@hunterdonprevention.com or call 908-782-3909.

WHAT ARE SAFEHOMES?

Being INVOLVED when your kids are having a large party at your home will help make it a positive experience for everyone. Here are a few planning points to consider...

INVITE

Use a written invitation - it's a good way to manage expectations and let other parents know what's going on (even if it eventually gets circulated by e-mail.) Spell out:

Your home address, with family name, phone number and directions.
Starting and Ending times of the party.
State the "House Rules" ("No alcoholic beverages, Drugs of any type, Smoking in the house", etc.)

BE NEIGHBORLY

Advise your immediate neighbors of what's going on. Give them a copy of the invitation and drop off a copy with your local police as well. They'll appreciate being kept in the loop.

SEEK VOLUNTEERS

Don't hesitate to ask for chaperone help. After all, they're not all your kids.

OBSERVE

Tour your home and property during the party. Believe it or not, your presence is welcome relief to most kids.

LEAVE LIGHTS LIT

Marijuana Myths

Do you know the facts aobut marijuana? Here are some common myths:

MYTH: Marijuana is harmless.

FACT: Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug among youth today and is more potent than ever. Marijuana use can lead to a host of significant health, social, learning, and behaviorial problems at a crucial time in a young person's development. Getting high also impairs judgement, which can lead to risky decision making on issues like sex, criminal activity, or riding with someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. According to the National Center on Addiction (CASA) at Columbia Univesrsity, teens who use drugs are five times more likely to have sex than teens who do not use drugs. Getting high also contributes to general apathy, irresponsible behavior and risky choices.

MYTH: You can't get addicted to marijuana.

FACT: Don't be fooled by popular beliefs. Kids can get hooked on pot. Research shows that marijuana use can lead to addiction. Each year, more kids enter treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana dependence than for all other illegal drugs combined.

Press Release

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and our partners at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration are pleased to announce $21 million in new Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grants to 161 communities, ten new DFC Mentoring grants and ten Continuation Mentoring grants across the United States. Hunterdon Prevention Resources in conjuction with Hunterdon County Safe Communities Coalition was the only agency awarded this prestigious grant in the state of New Jersey in 2009. The focus will work on reducing the use of underage drinking, marijuana and tobacco among our youth.

What makes the SAFE Homes Program unique?

SAFE Homes is unique in that it helps bring together parents who share a desire to help their children enjoy their teen years drug and alcohol free. By signing a pledge to supervise get-togethers and prohibit the use of drugs and underage drinking, parents are making an important statement to their own children about their values, as well as participating in a network of parents in whom other parents can have confidence. In our busy world, such networks are harder to come by and require more planning than perhaps they did in the past.

UNDERAGE DRINKING LAWS

WHAT A PARENT SHOULD KNOW:

As a parent, you cannot give alcohol to your teen’s friends under the age of 21 years old.

You cannot knowingly allow a person under 21 years of age, other than your own child, to remain in your home or on your property while consuming or possessing alcohol.

To report underage drinking call your local police department.

2C:33-17

Offering Alcoholic Beverage to Under Age Person.