Mercer Council News

April is nationally recognized as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the National Safety Council has postponed Distracted Driving Awareness Month to an undetermined date for later this year. Currently, there is less travel on the roadways due to the stay at home order put in place in the efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19. Even though Distracted Driving Awar...

As a child, I recall a woman in our church singing a song written by George Beverly that said “In times like these, we need a Savior; In times like these, we need an anchor; Be very sure, be very sure, you anchor holds and grips the solid Rock”When the life altering and crisis of COVID-19 arrived in the US , our lives became a storm of great unpredictability and fear. With so many aspects of our l...

The current COVID-19 pandemic situation has resulted in unprecedented challenges for the entire Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Prevention, Treatment, and Services industry.  Social distancing restrictions, along with treatment center policy and medical screening enhancements, have posed additional unique restrictions on access to and delivery of SUD services. The ongoing opioid addiction crisis...

How are you spending your time of social distancing? During this time at home in our domains, it is especially important to protect our bodies and brains! Our brains and body can benefit from the following things, try them out and experience the joy it brings! (Brain craft featured in collage picture courtesy of My Amazing Brain by TeachersPayTeachers website, link below)Check out the followi...

In light of the recent pandemic, Mercer Council decided after careful consideration, to close our office space in order to do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19.Mercer Council Team is working from home remotely as we navigate this pandemic. Amidst disruptions to work and life in general, our team is working hard and doing the best we can considering the circumstances. We are proud of what ou...

Simple stress relief activites that can be done at home during this lockdown. I hope all is well, we will all get through this.

As our days seem to be filled with the unknown, the anxiety we feel seems to be increasing. COVID-19 has affected everyone in some capacity. As a LifeSkills Training facilitator, I have had to apply the skills that I teach my students to myself and my family. One thing that I have decided to use is my logic side of the brain and not my anxiety side. My logic side sent me right to the LST technique...

Our brain is the boss of our body, in charge of everything we do as human beings, and the most important part of our body. These statements are just a few of the many important messages children learn in the Protecting You, Protecting Me alcohol use prevention program delivered by Mercer Council. Our brain is so important, it has a whole week dedicated to it! Brain Awareness week was introduced in...

To our valued Community Partners -  We hope this email finds you safe and healthy. In light of the recent pandemic, Mercer Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction has decided after careful consideration, to close our office space in order to do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19.  Staff will be working from remotely, checking email, checking voicemail and responding at t...

The landscape is evolving rapidly regarding the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), with institutions restricting large gatherings, federal and state agencies restricting travel and the Governor declaring a state of emergency in New Jersey. Considering these actions, the planning committee determined it is best to postpone the April 2nd DRUGS: Get the Facts 2020 Summit for a few months...

As more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana, some pregnant women have turned to using marijuana to ease nausea or other pregnancy symptoms. However, researchers don’t know a lot about what the effects might be and while the research is in progress, most experts advise pregnant women not to use marijuana.The U.S. Surgeon General has this to say:I, Surgeon General VADM Jerome Adams, a...

 Mercer Council and the Prevention Coalition of Mercer County are partnering with Rider University, the County Prosecutor's Office and the American Academy of Pediatrics to discuss local and national drug trends on April 2nd at a countywide forum.  The event will be held from 6 - 8pm at the Barty Leudeke Center - Cavalla Room on Rider University's campus in Lawrence Township.  The e...

Mercer Council and the Prevention Coalition of Mercer County are partnering with Rider University, the County Prosecutor's Office and the American Academy of Pediatrics to discuss local and national drug trends on April 2nd at a countywide forum.  The event will be held from 6 - 8pm at the Barty Leudeke Center - Cavalla Room on Rider University's campus in Lawrence Township.  The event i...

This week, Barbara Sprechman and Malissa Arnold  joined more than 3,000 substance misuse prevention specialists and advocates from throughout the country for CADCA's (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's) 30th Annual Leadership Forum at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.   CADCA's Forum covered a wide range of topics - everything from ho...

On January 20, 2020, the ASYSST staff and two lovely students volunteered for a day of service at the Mercer County Community College(MCCC), James Kerney Campus in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther king Jr.. The day of service began with prayer, followed by a powerful message from Rev. Dr. Alyn Waller and then all the volunteers disbursed into mini groups for the different tasks they volunteered fo...

Last Friday I had the opportunity to train the bartending and wait staff from the Nassau Club of Princeton in responsible beverage training (TIPS).  The focus of TIPS training is to empower participants to follow accceptable standards of practice for serving alcohol beverages.  It is a skills-based training program designed to prevent intoxication, underage drinking, and drunk driving.&n...

Known for our dedication to substance related prevention in the Mercer County Community over the past 40+ years, many familiar with Mercer Council are unaware that we facilitate an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides free, short-term, confidential counseling services for employees and household members of approximately 15-20 local businesses.  Mercer Council has licensed and ...

(Our very own Malissa, stood for two alliances- Ewing and Lawrence) On Wednesday, January 16th, The Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse sponsored the annual Municipal Alliance Volunteer Recognition Dinner. It was a night full of networking, recognizing common goals, and bringing to light all the hard work townships do every year. It was a night of celebrating and featuring a parti...

January 9, 2020 was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Thanks to our School Security Coordinator, Don Ellison, for connecting us with retired local, law enforcement officer, George Cahill.  Mr. Cahill also works for the Ewing High School district, and agreed to speak with our students in observance of the day. Our goal was to host a discussion about bridging the relationship gap between law en...

Several ASYSST Members met the staff on Saturday December 28 at Preferred Care Nursing and Rehab Center to meet and greet a group of nursing home residents for a combined art project. The initiative was spearheaded by Shakita Johnson ( youth development specialits) who organized New Year stencils and colored pencils and markers. Students strategically sat at the tables with the residents and engaged in friendly "chit chat" while coloring.  The residents enjoyed the opportunity to interact with students and vice versa.  90 year old resident Esther P. quipped "They are such well behaved kids, they can visit us anytime". 16 year old ASYSST Student Morris reported " I learned a lot from the seniors... I really liked doing this!"

Program Director Gregory Smith said  "Our hope is to engage the students from ASYSST in similar projects in the future as a way to learn to give back and in the process receive so much more"