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The Mercer Council on Alcoholism
and Drug Addiction (MCADA), a member agency of
NJPN, has been providing prevention, education, assessment
and referral services in the Mercer County area since 1978. It has
been designated the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Resource Center for Mercer
County by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of
Addiction Services.
MCADA offers the following programs:
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Metro-Employee Assistance Service (MEAS), an off-site employee
assistance program.
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Mercer Student Assistance Program (MSAP) for the school districts of Hamilton, Lawrence and Robbibsville Townships, serving over 10,000 students per year.
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Strengthening Families Program (SFP), a science-based prevention program
involving families from around the County.
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School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP) providing students of Ewing High School with opportunity to complete their education, obtain skills that lead to employment or additional education, and lead to a life that is mentally and physically sound.
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AOD Assessments for individuals requesting evaluations for a fee.
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Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) - MCADA determines the initial psychological assessment of each youth in the Commission's residential drug programs.
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Family Court Assessments - MCADA assists the Court on an as needed basis by determining assessments of clients.
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Reaching Everyone By Exposing Lies (REBEL) is a state-wide youth led, youth-driven, anti-tobacco
movement designed to reach, educate, and empower Mercer County's youth to make healthier lifestyle decisions and to support non-smoking norms.
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Information and Referrals for residents of Mercer County affected by alcohol drug abuse.
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Community Education - Reaching out into the community by offering education and training on various substance abuse topics.
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Public Information and Advocay - Through media presentations and programs for professionals and community groups, MCADA works to increase awareness of the chronic, progressive, and potentially fatal disease of addiction.
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Mission Statement: |
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MCADA is a
private, non-profit agency dedicated to strengthening the foundations of children and
families by empowering them to successfully handle difficult, everyday life
situations and the impact of substance abuse. MCADA actively provides
quality alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse prevention and early
intervention services in partnership with individuals, families, schools,
communities, businesses and professionals throughout Mercer County. |
In partnership with NJPN, MCADA also offers the
following programs and services:
- Resource Center for alcohol, tobacco and other drug
prevention information, distributing free brochures and other materials to
Mercer County schools, businesses and residents.
- Start Talking
Before They Start Drinking - Childhood drinking remains one of the
leading health problems in our nation and MCADA is working with other
community members to address this problem here in Mercer County. MCADA
recently formed a “Start Talking Before They Start Drinking” Childhood
Drinking Coalition. The Coalition meets quarterly here at the Council. Members
include law enforcement, township officials, educators, clergy, addiction
treatment providers, educators, municipal alliance members and concerned
citizens. This year the primary focus of the coalition is private property
drinking ordinances. MCADA helped pass a childhood drinking ordinance in
Hopewell, NJ and we are working on passing ordinances in Hamilton, Princeton,
Trenton and other municipalities. Currently Mercer County has childhood
drinking ordinances in Ewing, West Windsor, Lawrence and Hopewell.
- ABC - Underage
Drinking Initiative - MCADA is implementing this underage drinking
program in middle schools
by making presentations and holding meetings in Mercer County schools for parents and
students, using Parents Who Host Lose The Most” educational material. We are
working with PTAs and integrating this program into our ongoing prevention
efforts such as “We Check For 21” and Fatal Vision Goggles”
- Clergy Program
- MCADA trains teams of parishioners to provide prevention education
and assistance to their faith community. The team refers parishioners to MCADA
if additional services are required. Together MCADA and churches provide
community outreach through literature distribution, health fairs, and other
events.
- Party Drugs
- Students, youth groups, parent organizations and community
organizations learn about the dangers of using a new class of designer drugs
called party or club drugs.
- Addiction and Disability
- MCADA educates providers and professionals how to help those suffering from ADHD or other disabilty and at the same time addicted to drugs and alcohol.
- Gambling - MCADA reaches out to the older community holding presentations and workshops on preventing gambling addiction.
- We Check for 21 - MCADA encourages liquor outlets to pledge to check for 21 before
selling or serving alcohol to young adults.
- We Check for 21
Too - Parents are educated about using and abusing alcohol and
pledge not to serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.
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