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The committee meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 7 PM in the Borough Hall Auditorium.

NEWS and EVENTS 






10/30 NJ officials warn of marijuana-laced candy
Marijuana Candy Halloween Public Awareness




(August 31, 2017)

HMHS athletes were invited to participate in our "Play in Purple" day on Thursday, August 31, which was sponsored by the Haddonfield Municipal Alliance. A purple wrist/sweatband was worn by each fall athlete and coaches shared the below statement with their teams.  
Overdose Awareness Day is August 31 and we want to "Play in Purple". Overdoses occur with both drugs and alcohol and has taken the life of too many HMHS alums.  Many of them were athletes just like you while here at HMHS.  The purple wristband all of our fall athletes are wearing symbolizes our awareness of overdose and its effects. Wearing these can signify the loss of someone cherished; like 2009 alumna Michelle Carroll. This spring, at the age of 26,  Michelle lost her life to an overdose  after years struggling with addiction.   An addiction that started innocently as partying in high school. 

"Play in Purple" sends a message that we recognize these dangers. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of an overdose.  Overdose Day spreads the message that these tragedies are preventable. 

HMHS GS1 Play in Purple

 

Overdose Awareness Day 
2016-HMA-DAWGS-logo

July 2016 Volume 1, Issue 2

Safe and Sober prom video created by HMHS Digital Arts Club for the competition promoted by BADD, HMA,and Student Council



NEWS and EVENTS 
(August 23, 2016)  - The HMA along with the Haddonfield Police and Sustainable Haddonfield funded a prescription drop box located inside the police station.  The drop box will provide citizens with the opportunity and ability to dispose of their prescription medication safely without contaminating our water as well as potentially the medication being used inappropriately.  One of the greatest issues in regards to drug abuse right now is the increasing addiction to prescription drugs, which are found in our own household cabinets.  The drop box will help Haddonfield dispose of these prescription drugs before they can be used in a negative manner.  The HMA is proud of this wonderful step in preventing drug abuse in our community.
2016-08-19 12.41.36

 

 
(January 7, 2015) - The Freeholder Board and the Addiction Awareness Task Force have created a web site aimed at assisting the public with the fight against opiate addiction.

The website, addictions.camdencounty.com, helps to educate residents on the resources available to prevent and treat addiction. Additionally, the site provides a downloadable addiction prevention toolkit for community partners such as schools and civic organizations to utilize in their own prevention programs.

“This is a community problem, and as a task force we want to support the efforts of groups already doing great work in preventing drug abuse among our residents,” said Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, who spearheaded efforts in forming the task force last May. “The Addiction Awareness Tool Kit was the next step in our awareness and prevention efforts.” 

The task force is made up of students, parents, teachers, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and civic leaders. The mission of the task force is to increase awareness among county residents of heroin and prescription drug abuse and the devastating effects addiction has on our community. In addition to raising awareness, the initial goals of the task force include supporting programs that further reduce demand, including the expansion of prescription drop boxes, working with healthcare providers to implement educational programs, and creating and advocating for increased treatment options. 

Earlier this year, the task force hosted a community summit with a turnout of over 700 residents, many of whom were desperate to help their loved ones, but also residents who wanted to get involved in helping to address the problem in their community. At that event, the county launched an awareness campaign entitled: “HEROIN. PILLS. IT ALL KILLS…what you thought was miles away is right in your backyard.”

The campaign includes billboards, awareness events, online and print advertising.

Other initiatives the task force is currently working on include the following:

  • Expansion of RX drop boxes and prescription take-back programs
  • Community awareness events
  • Partnering with educators on the development of evidence-based prevention programs
  • The launching of a billboard campaign to educate loved ones of the availability of the life-saving overdose reversal drug Naloxone
  • Advocacy of policies that increase access to treatment
  • Development of treatment integration into Naloxone overdose reversals at area emergency rooms
“As a county, we know that no one is immune to the addiction of opiates and the Freeholder Board is focused on increasing awareness of prevention and treatment options,” Cappelli said. “Since this is an issue that touches every area of our community, the Addiction Awareness Task Force is made up of people from all walks of life and professional backgrounds.”
Heroin and opiates have become a growing public safety and health crisis creating devastating effects on the region, the state and the nation in the last five years. These narcotics are ubiquitous in every community in Camden County and usage is on the rise. New Jersey data shows a steady rise in prescription drug abuse in recent years. There were 8,300 admissions to state-certified substance-abuse treatment programs due to prescription drug abuse in 2012, a 200 percent increase over the previous five years, according to a state report on addiction.

“As a mother, an educator and an elected official, the addiction crisis in Camden County is one of my biggest concerns,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services. “Together, from parents to clergy, and every stakeholder in the county, we must unite to educate and treat this life threatening epidemic.”

You can visit the Addiction Awareness Task Force’s web site at addictions.camdencounty.com or follow them on Facebook (facebook.com/AddictionAwarenessTaskForce) and Twitter (@CamCoAddiction).
If you or a loved one needs help please call our 24/7 toll-free confidential hotline for addiction help at 877-266-8222 or call 911 in the event of an emergency.


Haddonfield Municipal Alliance recommended articles:

A joint message from Commissioner Neal Rochford, Acting Police Chief Ted Stuessy, and John Connell, Chair Haddonfield Municipal Alliance. 

Alcohol is often easily available to minors - they get it from older friends, strangers willing to buy it for them, store clerks who fail to check IDs, the internet, older siblings, their friend’s parents, and even their own parents. Giving alcohol to a minor can lead to criminal penalties, or worse, the loss of a loved one.

The Borough of Haddonfield is reminding the community that it is against the law to provide alcohol to minors, host underage drinking parties, or to allow minors to drink alcohol. In the last month alone, three minors have been charged with hosting underage drinking parties in Haddonfield. These parties took place when the homeowner was away.

“We urge adults and minors to act responsibly and not to create, condone, or become involved situations that provide a place for minors to consume alcohol” said Acting Police Chief Ted Stuessy. “Underage drinking risks a teen’s health and safety and often leads to serious consequences for not only the violator, but the public as well.” 

Parents play a key role in preventing underage drinking to ensure the safety of your children and the public. You, the parent – in your example, attitude, conduct, and interaction with your child – are the first line of defense. Health and safety experts recommend the following tips for parents to discourage underage drinking and other risky behavior.

Stay Involved: Show your children you care by spending time with them and doing something fun and interactive together.
Communicate: Regardless of the season, it is always a good to talk to your children about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
Set Rules: Establish clear rules regarding your expectations on drinking, as well as on unsupervised time spent with friends.
Supervise: This can be challenging especially for parents of high school students; however, be physically present when you can. If you are away for an extended period of time have a neighbor, relative, or friend to check on unsupervised minors.
Monitor: Know what your children are doing and where they are at all times. Randomly call and text them. 
Engage: Help your children set some structure during summer by helping them find a summer job or engaging them in supervised activities, such as sports, camps and classes.
Team Up: Get to know the parents of your children’s friends. Make sure they feel the same way you do about underage drinking.

Underage drinking is not a social rite-of-passage; it is illegal, and dangerous, and must be viewed and treated as such. Educating residents about making healthy and safe choices and creating a culture of wellness is part of the ongoing initiative of the Haddonfield Municipal Alliance, the borough and the school board to improve the health, safety, and well-being of residents. For additional information go to Facebook.com/HaddonfieldMunicipalAlliance.

If you have a tip about an underage drinking party, you can call the Haddonfield Police Department 1.856.429.3000

Looking for a speaker? The Public Information Committee provides AA speakers to schools and other organizations when requested. To have the Public Information Committee provide a presentation to your organization call the Intergroup Office (856-486-4446)or send email (publicinfo@aasj.org)