ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ASSESSMENTS (AOD)
AVAILABLE SCHOOL YOUTH SERVICES SUPPORT TEAM (ASYSST)
BABES
BOTVIN'S LIFE SKILLS TRAINING (LST)
BULLY BUSTERS
CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE (CIM)
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
COPING WITH WORK AND FAMILY STRESS
FAMILY COURT ASSESSMENTS
FATAL VISION GOGGLES
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL
JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMISSION (JJC)
KEYS TO INNERVISIONS (KIV)
METRO EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE SERVICE (MEAS)
OLWEUS BULLYING PREVENTION PROGRAM (OBPP)
PREVENTION COALITION
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ADVOCACY
RESOURCE CENTER
SAFE DATES
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH (TCH)
WE CHECK FOR 21
WE CHECK FOR 21 TOO
WELLNESS INITIATIVE FOR SENIOR EDUCATION (WISE)

alcohol and other drug assessments (AOD)
Council’s Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors can provide Alcohol and Other Drug assessments for individuals requesting evaluations for a fee.
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available school youth services support team (asysst)
ASYSST is the School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP) at Ewing High School, developed by the NJ Department of Human Services to provide teens with the opportunity to complete their education, obtain skills that lead to employment or additional education, paving way to a life that is mentally and physically sound. Click here for PDF version of the program brochure.
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beginning alcohol and addictions basic education series (babes)
Through the use of puppets, songs and stories, this primary prevention program is designed to give young children the life skills they need to protect them from substance abuse. BABES stories hold the attention of children and helps develop key social competencies including peer pressure resistance and conflict resolution. Click here for PDF version of the program brochure.
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botvin's life skills training (lst)
This is a research-based prevention curriculum developed by Dr. Gilbert Botvin from Cornell University Medical College. LST seeks to promote health and well-being among adolescents through the delivery of a combination of health information, general life skills and drug-resistance skills. LST is proven to reduce the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs among adolescents, making it the most extensively evaluated substance abuse program available.
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bully busters
Bully Busters is a six lesson curriculum designed to be effectively utilized at the early grade levels to call to children's attention the value of developing behaviors that support healthy pro-social relationships. Click here for PDF version of the program brochure.
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children in the middle (cim)
Children in the Middle was developed by the Center for Divorce Education in Athens, Ohio with the goal of helping caregivers (parents, grandparents, etc.) and children to minimize harmful effects of divorce. This is a class about parenting skills. It is NOT therapy or counseling. It is NOT a workshop on divorce law or on case strategies. It most certainly is not a forum to air anger and resentments about an ex-spouse. The purpose is to share information about what divorce or separation may be doing to their children, and to learn skills to minimize their children’s burdens. Click here for PDF version of the program brochure.
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community education
The Council reaches out into the community by offering education and training in topics such as: marijuana, ecstasy and club drugs; basic prevention and strategies; and alcohol and drug awareness.
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coping with work and family stress
A research-validated substance abuse prevention program proven to reduce stress and the risks of alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse and violence. This comprehensive and exciting program provides adults with the skills necessary to successfully handle challenging situations and to reduce stressors which can contribute to mental or physical health problems.
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family court assessments
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors provides assistance to the Court on an as needed basis, by determining assessments of clients.
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fatal vision goggles
Fatal Vision Goggles are specially designed and manufactured goggles that simulate the visual impairment caused by alcohol or other drugs. Viewing through the goggles, the wearer experiences a loss of equilibrium, one of the effects of intoxication. The underlying principle is to demonstrate how quickly impairment can turn fun into devastating consequences. Hopefully, the wearer and observers are convinced that such impairment makes certain activities (such as driving) dangerous. The goggles activity is an excellent tool to use in schools and youth groups to educate young people on the risks of underage drinking and impaired driving.
Mercer Council will maintain a loan bank of three sets of Fatal Vision Goggles for use by community partners to implement the program to area middle and high school students. A free training program and technical assistance is offered to assist facilitators in implementing the program.
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information and referral
The Council staff provides information and referral options for people in Mercer County affected by alcohol and drug abuse. Individuals seeking help for themselves and/or a family member can receive direction and support counseling.
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juvenile justice commission (jjc)
The Commission’s residential drug programs apply the principles of cognitive-behavioral treatment in individual, group and family counseling sessions. Council staff determine the initial psychological assessment of each youth.
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keys to innervisions (kiv)
Students learn skills and strategies to help them develop beliefs and behaviors that prevent violence, drug abuse-dependency, school failure and anti-social behavior. Good for diverse cultural populations. Click here for PDF version of the program brochure.
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metro employee assistance service (meas)
MEAS provides short term confidential counseling to employees of more than 25 employers in the Mercer County area. Over 8,000 employees and their family members may access this Employee Assistance Program (EAP) free of charge. Whether it is a minor difficulty or a major obstacle, MEAS licensed professional counselors are available in Hamilton and Trenton. Professional help may make the difference between an early resolution and a long period of struggle.
The majority of clients are self referrals, but employers may refer an employee when a deterioration in job performance is noted. However, all information, except for compliance issues remain confidential.

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olweus bullying prevention program (obpp)
The Olweus® Bullying Prevention Program (pronounced Ol-VEY-us) is a comprehensive, school-wide program designed and evaluated for use in elementary, middle, or junior high schools. The program’s goals are to reduce and prevent bullying problems among school children and to improve peer relations at school. The program has been found to reduce bullying among children, improve the social climate of classrooms, and reduce related antisocial behaviors, such as vandalism and truancy. The Olweus® Bullying Prevention Program has been implemented in more than a dozen countries around the world, and in thousands of schools in the United States. Mercer Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction now has a certified Olweus trainer on staff. Click here for PDF version of the program brochure.
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prevention coalition
Do you want to make a difference in the greater Mercer County community? Would you like to make an impact in reducing underage drinking and other substance abuse concerns? We invite you to join the Prevention Coalition of Mercer County - a volunteer organization of citizens dedicated to creating a healthy, safe, community free of substance abuse and related problems. Our mission is to reduce substance abuse, especially among youth, by providing opportunities for coordinated planning, sharing of resources and increased collaboration. Together our efforts will help maximize the quality and availability of services to the communities and residents of Mercer County. If you are willing to contribute some of your time and talent to this important work, we'd like to have you as a member! Click here for more information.
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public information and advocacy
Through media presentations and programs for professionals and community groups, the Council works to increase awareness of the chronic, progressive, and potentially fatal disease of addiction.
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resource center
As the designated Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Resource Center for Mercer County by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Division of Addiction Services, the Council offers a variety of free information in print and video. Click here for complete listing of all available resource materials.
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safe dates
This is a dating abuse prevention program for both male and female high school students. Safe Dates fits well within a health education, family skills or general life skills curriculum. It is a recognized Model Program in the National Registry of Effective Programs (NREP). Click here for PDF version of the program brochure.
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take control of your health (tch)
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program This is a community workshop designed to give people with chronic conditions (such as arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma, etc.) and/or their caregivers the knowledge and skills needed to take a more active role in their health care. Participants learn healthier ways to live, gain confidence and motivation to manage their health and feel more positive about life. The program goal is to help people choose healthy behaviors they would like to follow and design strategies for incorporating these behaviors into daily life.
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we check for 21
The Council encourages liquor outlets to pledge to check for 21 before selling or serving alcohol to young adults.
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we check for 21 too
Parents are educated about using and abusing alcohol and pledge not to serve alcohol to young people under the age of 21.
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wellness initiative for senior education (wise)
The WISE Program is a wellness and prevention program targeting older adults created by NJPN. The program is designed to help older adults in New Jersey celebrate healthy aging, make healthy lifestyle choices and avoid substance abuse. This is a six-week, six-lesson program. Each lesson is two to three hours long and includes breakfast or lunch. Click here for PDF version of the program brochure.
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