By Jessica Oates
As Father’s Day approaches, the members of the Robbinsville Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse eagerly await the chance to provide township residents a day of relaxation and family fun on the lake.
The annual Fishing Derby drew more than 200 people last year, and members of R-MAPSA say they expect a similar turnout. This year’s event is June 15. Registration starts 7 a.m. at the Town Center gazebo.
While community members see the day as outdoor family time, the alliance uses the event to spread the word about their organization and fill everyone in on what it is all about.
Township business administrator Joy Tozzi, the program coordinator, said the event promotes wholesome family values in a fun way, and ties into the mission of R-MAPSA.
“Our derby is our biggest opportunity to get the word out that we exist and have lots of information and can educate the community at large,” Tozzi said. “People are free to enjoy themselves as they please, but we do take a few minutes to share a little bit about what we do and the great programs we offer.”
Kelly Nitti, an R-MAPSA volunteer, said she and other members are grateful that so many people take a few moments to fill out a survey representatives pass out during the event.
“This shows us the greatest areas of need in our own community and what residents would like us to address,” said Nitti.
Nitti also is the associate executive director of Campfire, an R-MAPSA sponsored program. She said she became involved with programs like the alliance because the town has such a great need for education and prevention of substance abuse.
“The truth is, we all have stories of addiction that are near and dear to our hearts,” Nitti said. “Everyone knows someone. And we are there as a resource to help families prevent negative situations from happening.”
Tozzi said a big part of this prevention lies in making the community aware that the alliance exists.
“We try to educate people of all ages, from young students to senior citizens,” she said. “We try to educate people on the potential dangers of prescription drugs, and teach grandparents the importance of locking up medicine cabinets. We help host programs to take back old prescription medications that people are no longer using. Even though drugs may not be a huge residential problem, the community is a passageway between Florida, where substances such as cocaine destined for New York City, enter the county.”
Tozzi and the members of R-MAPSA, who have all been involved since the program’s inception four years ago, believe communication and honesty between family members and friends is essential in the prevention of substance abuse.
R-MAPSA works hard to dissolve permissive attitudes of parents that ultimately enable young people.
“Experimentation today is much different than it was when our parents were young,” Tozzi said. “One of the most important things we teach is that getting drunk or high is not a right of passage, its much more serious than that.”
Tozzi, who lost her brother to substance abuse, said that when someone in your family has a problem with drugs or alcohol, it’s normal to feel helpless.
“It becomes a big dark secret and nobody talks about it, not even with each other,” she said. “It becomes an extremely damaging family disease. When I found out my brother was doing drugs, I helped him in and out of rehab. But I didn’t tell my parents. I did my best to help him, but what I learned was that people who suffer from substance abuse can be very manipulative. The only way to deal with this is to reach out to family members and create awareness to get rid of the stigma.”
Tozzi watched her parents struggle with trying to be there for their son while simultaneously trying to make sure he didn’t steal from them to support his addiction. Programs like R-MAPSA act as a hub of information, making it easier to start a dialogue with other people, who in turn help you realize you aren’t alone.
“The more you find out what other people are going through, you get a sense of comfort, and you can ask other people how they are dealing with issues in their families,” Tozzi said. “You will realize you’re not alone, you will get more involved, and you will have a healthier perspective.”
According to the alliance, building a healthy perspective is important from a young age. Nitti explained that Campfire NJ emphasizes primary prevention for kids before they are at risk, and gives them the tools and confidence they need to get out of tough situations that may arise when they are older.
“The basis of our programs is to teach kids hope and empathy,” Nitti said. “All the research shows that if they have these attributes, they are more likely to handle bad situations well.”
Susan Kratz, board member and mother of two Robbinsville High School students and a student at Sharon Elementary, said that R-MAPSA does a lot with its small budget.
Formerly a school counselor, Kratz had prior involvement with families and children that had been impacted by substance abuse.
“Once other towns started Municipal Alliances for the Prevention of Substance abuse, I was glad our town did, too,” she said.
The alliance is always actively spreading the word about the resources they have to offer, with a float at the Community Day parade, and lots of opportunities for older students and members of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) from the high school to help out and speak at the elementary level.
One of the most moving events hosted by R-MAPSA is Operation Smashed, when the whole town comes together to act out a devastating car accident to remind high school juniors and seniors to be responsible and make good decisions, especially around prom season when parties are in full swing.
“I think it’s a great working relationship that the alliance has with the schools and the board of education and police department—it’s a recipe for success,” Nitti said.
More information about R-MAPSA can be found at robbinsville-twp.org.
