Drug-Free Task Force

While schools transitioned to all virtual learning and the State of New Jersey was on a stay at home order, the Drug-Free Task Force launched the Love My Lungs Initiative. Nearly 200 high school and middle school students took the pledge that they would not vape or smoke. Love My Lungs was created with the goal of connecting to middle and high school students in Hunterdon County and encouraging them to make positive choices. After taking the pledge, they received follow-up messaging reminding them of the dangers of vaping or smoking. To reward students for their positive choice, they were entered to win Amazon gifts cards, and one student won pair of Apple AirPods. This spring ,the Drug-Free Task Force will re-launch the initiative with the goal of educating more students about the dangers of vaping and smoking.

In 2020, Project Coordinator, Meghan Moore, and coalition member, Erin Cohen, participated in CADCA’s National Coalition Academy (NCA).   Meghan and Erin spent three weeks learning how to build an effective anti-drug coalition. At the conclusion of the NCA, coalitions were encouraged to submit an application for CADCA’s Chairman’s Award, based on what they learned in the NCA. We are pleased to share the Partnership for Health Drug-Free Task Force is the winner of the 2020 Chairman’s Award. They will be presented with the award on February 2, 2021, at CADCA’s NCA Graduation.

In October 2020, Project Coordinator Meghan Moore, along with coalition members, Amanda Kovacs and Amy Menes completed the training to become a Certified Tobacco Cessation Specialist (CTTS). In the next few years, Meghan, Amy and Amanda will complete the required 240 individual hours of tobacco treatment experience.

They will work with Tobacco-Free for a Healthy New Jersey to engage and educate young people on the dangers of tobacco. In addition, they will engage with participants in the Hunterdon County Recovery Center to educate and encourage tobacco cessation to those in recovery from substance misuse.

In an effort to engage and educate young adults about the dangers of substance misuse the Partnership for Health Drug-Free Task Force collaborated with the Hope Club at Raritan Valley Community College in Trivia Tuesday. Each Tuesday young adults from Hunterdon and Somerset Counties were invited to participate in an online trivia game. The games included “fun” trivia long with information about substance misuse. Topics included opioids, prescription drugs, underage drinking, and vaping/smoking. On average, nearly 20 students were reached each week with this important information.