Hamilton freshman and sophomore students are participating in a week-long program of drug awareness and prevention in their health classes this week.
The week began with students learning about the Overdose Prevention Act under the instruction of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Students will then receive classroom instruction on various drugs with a focus on both the personal and family-related effects of substance abuse. The week will conclude with assemblies featuring speakers discussing their own personal struggles with drug abuse.
In the spring, high school juniors and seniors will participate in the same week-long program of drug awareness and prevention activities.
“We all care about our community’s children and want them to enjoy healthy lifestyles that will provide them with the best opportunities to succeed,” Mayor Kelly Yaede said. “That is why enhancing our preventive education efforts at the high school level was a major focal point of our community response plan against substance abuse.”
In the spring, Yaede announced Hamilton’s Community Response Plan to address heroin/opioid issues. The plan was built upon several community partnerships with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, RWJ Barnabas Health, The Overdose Prevention Agency Corporation (TOPAC), the Mercer Council on Alcoholism & Drug Addiction and Hamilton’s Public School District.
The multi-faceted effort included:
Hamilton’s ongoing deployment of Naloxone through its police divisionPursing community-wide citizen training efforts for NaloxonePresenting overdose victims saved with Naloxone and their families with “save” counseling strategies at RWJ Barnabas Health in coordination with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s OfficeTraining on how to administer Naloxone for Hamilton’s Division of Health Nurses, other township officials and YaedeSupplementing prevention efforts in Hamilton’s public high schools
“Although it is painful reality that government cannot control individual decisions that rely upon personal responsibility, we continue to prioritize efforts that will encourage our children and young adults to avoid drugs, such as heroin and opioids,” Yaede said. “I am very pleased that that the Hamilton Township Public School District was a willing partner to help implement this additional component.”
Mayor Kelly Yaede with township and high school officials.,
