Vanessa DeRosa, Malissa Arnold, Boomer Mascot, Ian Smith, Lisa Kauffman
Rookie, the bat dog!
Cloudman, Trenton Thunder mascot
Brian Bittings enjoying the game from the stands
Home team wins!
The Mercer Council and Prevention Coalition of Mercer County were proud to be represented at 9 different National Night Out (NNO) locations throughout Mercer County. National Night Out is an event that seeks to foster and enhance the relationships between neighborhoods/comminuties and various law enforcement agencies. At the Lawrence Township NNO, Jocelyn Cooper engaged with children, parents, grandparents and other community members about the importance of primary prevention/education in helping people of all ages avoid substance use to keep themselves and those around them safe and healthy. Each year, the Prevention Coalition of Mercer County asks Mercer residents to provide feedback in the form of community surveys, which provide our agency with valuable information on perceptions surrounding substance use/misuse; this feedback in turn assists the agency and Coalition in more effectively tailoring prevention efforts to this very special, very unique community. We look forward to next year, where we hope to expand our participation and reach in the community.
Each year, nearly one quarter of the 7.5 million high school athletes in America sustain a sports-related injury. A study of 1,540 adolescents conducted by the Institute for Research on Women and Gender (IRWG) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, found that participating in high school sports made it more likely that young men had taken and misused an opioid prescription within the last year compared to their non-athlete peers.
Young adults who participate in athletics may be at a greater risk to engage in nonmedical prescription opioid use because of their greater risk of injury or because of a greater opportunity to receive diverted opioid medications from teammates. Several studies have found that youth who are highly involved in competitive sports are at a greater risk of being prescribed opioid medications, misusing opioid medications (e.g., use to “get high”), and being approached to divert (e.g., give away) these opioid medications. A national study found that youth who participated in high-injury sports such as football and wrestling were at greater risk to misuse prescription pain medications. The greater risk to misuse opioid medications may be related to the fact that football players and wrestlers have the highest severe injury rates among high school athletes and may be more likely to have been prescribed opioid medications by a physician. In addition, youth who participate in high-injury sports may be surrounded by peers who are more likely to have leftover prescription opioids, making it easier to receive diverted prescription opioids to ease injuries without having to acknowledge to parents and coaches that they need medical attention (e.g., hiding injuries from coaches to participate).
The Tackling Opioids Through Prevention Program is a statewide initiative with a goal to reduce opioid and other drug use among young athletes. This four-year initiative is funded by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Mercer Council and the Prevention Coalition of Mercer County will be implementing this program in Mercer County and will provide educational presentations for specific schools and/or a countywide audience of coaches, parents, prescribers, school nurses, personnel at sports camps and/or young athletes. This initiative will go beyond providing awareness and education by providing a toolkit that will promote specific policy changes that will strengthen the prevention strategies through the use of the CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) strategies for community change. The materials and technical assistance provided will highlight evidence-based programs, policies and interventions.
We are looking for community partners to bring these timely and critical resources to communities around the county. For more information, please contact Barbara Sprechman, Assistant Executive Director at 609-396-5874 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mercer Council Staff, family and friends group shot.. thanks to Hal Sprechman's camera stand!
Amy Argiriou and family, Gwen Jennings and family!
Vanessa DeRosa and family, Ian Smith, Argiriou Family
Jocelyn Cooper and Lisa Kauffman
Food Tent!
Friends and Family of Mercer Council Staff gathered on 7/22/2018 at Lawrence Village Park, Bergen Street Pavilion to celebrate their history, accomplishments, future and one another. It turned out to be a beautiful day, despite reports of bad weather. Staff, family, children and friends enjoyed one another's company over delicious food, refreshing non-alcoholic beverages and a variety of fun, some home made, lawn games! The event was such a success, that we have decided to hold a yearly picnic as a way to continue celebrating the Mercer Council and those who support us in doing what we do. We are looking forward to many years of picnics to come... until next time!
Dangerous Drug Interactions: Please consult your health care provider before using prescription pain medications with other substances. Did you know that according to the CDC, about one half of deaths from prescription pain medications involve the use of at least one other drug? Mixing opioids with other substances can cause dangerous side effects, including breathing trouble, coma and even permanent brain damage or death. If you are taking prescription pain medications, do NOT take the following without first talking to your health care provider:- Alcohol (including beer, wine, and liquor)- Antihistamines (including allergy medications such as Benadryl) - Cough medicine/cough syrup- Barbiturates and benzodiazepines (often used as sleeping pills and sedatives, such as Ambien, Xanax and Valium)- General anesthetics (often used for surgery) For more information on safer, more effective pain management for chronic pain, visit CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain | Drug Overdose | CDC Injury Center | Drug Overdose | CDC Injury Center
You yearn for the vitality of a more youthful you. You feel life should feel more complete what where do you ahve time to take care of you and your dreams? You feel disconnected from who you are at your core. Join Joanna as she discusses her journey from competitive athlete to overcoming adrenal exhaustion, starting over, connecting to her true self, her life's purpose an finding tru balance by honoring her own needs first. Joanna will discuss how holistic nutrition, Path To Heal energy work and essential oils can retore the body by nourishing the physical, emotional, spiritual and mental imbalances. Live the life you love with YOU at the core!
Beverages provided, please bring your own lunch.
Mercer Council on Alcoholism & Drug Addiction
1931 Brunswick Avenue
Lawrence, NJ 08648
