CARES

Formerly the Metuchen Municipal Alliance, the newly organized committee Metuchen CARES continues the work of prevention and education concerning substance use disorders. But the Committee will now also:

Focus more on prevention and recovery, not just reduction of alcohol and drug use.
Provide education, community support, and resources for substance use disorders and other behavioral addictions (e.g., gambling, porn, gaming).
Promote mental wellness across the community to children, teens, adults, and seniors.
Sponsor programs and activities that better meet the particular needs and interests of the Borough’s population in the areas of substance use, behavioral addictions, and mental health.

Metuchen CARES has joined the international movement that recognizes Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 each year. This movement brings communities together to remember those who died of the disease of addiction and to offer compassion to those who have lost loved ones to a substance use disorder. Similarly, the Committee will celebrate a Recovery Day to bring hope to people suffering from a substance use disorder, their families, and friends.

Metuchen CARES meets on the second Thursday of January, March, May, July, September, and November at 7:15 PM on the second floor of Borough Hall.

2024

Co-sponsored the film “After the Fire” with the Metuchen Fire Department at MHS. The film recounts the 2003 fire at Seton Hall University in which 3 students died and many were injured as a result of a drunken prank (March 2024).
Hosted a Community Leaders Breakfast with local religious institutions and organizations to focus on the needs and issues concerning substance use and mental wellness among populations across all ages (March 2024).
Donated $1500 to MHS Project Graduation, the drug and alcohol-free, overnight celebration for MHS graduates beginning on the evening of Graduation. In addition purchased clear plastic drawstring backpacks for the event (June 2024).
Sponsored two sections of “Forest Friends”, a six-week prevention program for 1st grade campers that focuses on good decision-making at the Metuchen YMCA (July and August 2024).
Sponsored “We’re Not Buying It,” a six-week program for 6th grade campers that highlights the hidden messages in music, tv shows, films, and on social media, at the Metuchen YMCA (July and August 2024).
Hosted Overdose Awareness Day to remember those who died and to support their families and loved ones, as well as those who presently fight addiction or live in recovery (August 2024).
Sponsored the “One Pill Can Kill” billboard to launch an educational campaign on the dangers of counterfeit pills laced with fentynal. The campaign includes “messages from CARES” on the Borough’s Facebook page, linking to information from the DEA, CDC, and SAMHSA.
Sponsored speaker Dr. Paul Wichansky at Edgar Middle School to talk about bullying to the students, along with a presentation in the evening for parents (October 2024).
Co-sponsored a visit with former NBA player Chris Herren who shared his journey from addiction to recovery with the students of MHS (October 2024).
Sponsored a screening of the award-winning documentary “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age” at the Metuchen Public Library, followed by a discussion of the film with an audience of parents and pre-teens/teens (December 2024).
Sponsored a program by Wellspring Prevention “The Hidden Dangers of Prescription Drugs” at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (December 2024).
Funded new resources to add to the CARES Teen Issues Collection at the Metuchen Public Library (December 2024).

2023

Sponsored two sessions of “A Natural High” for students, featuring neuropsychologist and standup comedian Dr. Matt Ballace at Metuchen High School (April 17, 2023).
Sponsored an evening program open to the entire adult community, “Supporting Teens in Reducing Their Stress (and Ours)” at Metuchen High School (April 17, 2023).
Supported Metuchen High School’s Project Graduation 2023 with a $1,000 donation. Also purchased clear plastic drawstring bags for graduates for the event. Two wallet-sized cards containing overdose and emergency information were placed inside each bag (June 2023).
Sponsored a 6-week peer leadership program for 5^th and 6^th grade campers at the Metuchen YMCA. Students learned important life skills like conflict resolution, sportsmanship, and how to stand up to peer pressure. (July/August 2023)
Commemorated International Overdose Awareness Day with an evening vigil in front of Borough Hall with over 300 people in attendance (August 31, 2023).
Began an educational campaign via the “Borough of Metuchen” Facebook page with biweekly messages from Metuchen CARES.
Co-sponsored with Wellspring Prevention, “Senior Jeopardy: Maintaining a Healthy Mind” at the Metuchen Senior Apartments on Lincoln Avenue (November 15, 2023).
Granted $1,000 to the Metuchen Public Library to create a teen issues collection. The collection will hold both novels and non-fiction books and other materials on topics like substance use, behavioral addictions, and mental health, as well as information on Metuchen CARES. The collection will debut in 2024 (December 2023).

Naloxone (Narcan) is a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Administered as a nasal spray, Narcan can save lives.

For information on how to recognize the symptoms of an opioid overdose and when to use Narcan, CLICK HERE.

For a short, recorded Webinar from the State of New Jersey that is designed for the layperson, CLICK HERE to watch the NARCAN TRAINING VIDEO.

In New Jersey, any resident who is at least 14 years of age can get free Naloxone at participating pharmacies. Two such local providers are Boyt Drugs on Main Street in Metuchen and Devine’s Pharmacy on Oak Tree Road in Edison. For a complete list of participating pharmacies in NJ, CLICK HERE on LIST OF PHARMACIES

Safely dispose of your unused, unwanted or expired prescription medication, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The drop box is located on the lower level of the Woodbridge Township Police Department Lobby (1 Main St. Woodbridge, NJ 07095).

Please CLICK HERE to access the Woodbridge Township website for more information.

Contact

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