In July 2017 it was announced that New Jersey was set to become the third state in the nation to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 19 to 21. This new law, which went into effect on November 1, 2017 applies to e-cigarettes, as well as conventional tobacco products, and triggers fines against anyone who sells, gives or offers such products to someone younger than 21. In response to this change, the STOMP (Stop Tobacco Offenses Merchant Program) campaign was established to increase merchant education on age of sale requirements and help decrease youth access to tobacco products and exposure to tobacco advertising. The HCCDFC (Hudson County Coalition for a Drug Free Community) participated in this initiative throughout the month of November.Our first strategy was placing a public service announcement in the Jersey Journal. The ad chosen was our “It’s Not Personal, It’s the Law” campaign which was adjusted to reflect the new age of sale. For the Great American Smoke out, we visited 27 stores and supplied them with education packets, in addition to asking them to sign a pledge to follow recently implemented guidelines on tobacco products;18 store owners signed the pledge. College task force students and a coalition volunteer assisted us with these visits. Additionally, at our November coalition meeting staff facilitated mini-training to members in attendance so that they can execute similar visits in their free time. Last but not least, information was sent to our school contacts with resources in addition to distribution of the prevention book “Uninvited Guest”. All in all, it was a successful month for tobacco prevention in Hudson County!
National Prevention Week is an annual health observance dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and action around, substance abuse and mental health issues.
The three primary goals of National Prevention Week are to:
Involve communities in raising awareness about behavioral health issues and implementing prevention strategies;
Foster partnerships and collaboration with federal agencies and national organizations dedicated to behavioral and public health; and
Promote and disseminate quality behavioral health resources and publications.
During National Prevention Week, organizations across the country host health fairs, block parties, educational assemblies, town hall meetings, memorial walks, social media campaigns, outdoor events, and more. Thousands across the United States and in U.S. territories attend these events and help raise awareness about the importance of preventing substance use and promoting positive mental health.
Each day of National Prevention Week focuses on a specific health theme. The themes for National Prevention Week 2017 are:
Prevention of Youth Tobacco Use: Monday, May 15
Prevention of Underage Drinking & Alcohol Misuse: Tuesday, May 16
Prevention of Prescription & Opioid Drug Misuse: Wednesday, May 17
Prevention of Illicit Drug Use & Youth Marijuana Use: Thursday, May 18
Prevention of Suicide: Friday, May 19
Promotion of Mental Health & Wellness: Saturday, May 20
National Prevention Week (NPW) is national health observance focused on increasing the prevention of substance use and promotion of mental health. Watch the 2017 NPW video now, and learn more at http://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week.
HCCDFC in collaboration with the Union City Prevention coalition has ran a series of campaigns via digital billboards to promote awareness of the dangers of both underage drinking and prescription drug abuse on I-495 at Kennedy Blvd in Union City. Check out the eye-catching campaigns below!
The Hudson County Coalition for a Drug-Free Community partnered with CarePoint Health personnel and the New Jersey State Police Department by delivering “lunch and learn” trainings to staff at multiple CarePoint facilities within Hudson County. A wide variety of nurses, residents, physicians, and students from Christ Hospital in Jersey City and Bayonne Medical Center participated, with approximately 100 total participants served.
Yaisa Coronado, Associate Executive Director of Partners in Prevention, delivered a presentation on the agency and the Coalition in order to build our capacity with the health sector. She discussed our mission/goals, programs, and media campaigns. Directly following, Detective Sergeant Adam Polhemus of the New Jersey State Police Department spoke on New Jersey Drug Monitoring Initiative (NJ DMI). Topics covered included: opiates currently being abused (heroin, fentanyl, etc.), the New Jersey Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) and hospital best practices. Hospital staff were very receptive to the information being provided.
Evidence–based prevention education programs for the months of September and October have recently begun in the towns of Bayonne, Hoboken, Jersey City and Union City. Programs in all participating Hudson County municipalities will reach completion by the end of spring 2017.
In addition, the education department partnered with Jersey City and Hoboken for the Week of Respect on the first week of October. Pre-schoolers, Kindergarteners and 1st graders in the city of Jersey City at School # 17 were delighted to engage in a series of lessons about sharing and having respect for others. Our Prehistoric Pals Program uses prehistoric animals to provide an entertaining yet educational puppet show for the students. Over 350 children in Jersey City and 80 students in the city of Hoboken participated this fall.
In July 2017 it was announced that New Jersey was set to become the third state in the nation to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 19 to 21. This new law, which went into effect on November 1, 2017 applies to e-cigarettes, as well as conventional tobacco products, and triggers fines against anyone who sells, gives or offers such products to someone younger than 21. In response to this change, the STOMP (Stop Tobacco Offenses Merchant Program) campaign was established to increase merchant education on age of sale requirements and help decrease youth access to tobacco products and exposure to tobacco advertising. The HCCDFC (Hudson County Coalition for a Drug Free Community) participated in this initiative throughout the month of November.Our first strategy was placing a public service announcement in the Jersey Journal. The ad chosen was our “It’s Not Personal, It’s the Law” campaign which was adjusted to reflect the new age of sale. For the Great American Smoke out, we visited 27 stores and supplied them with education packets, in addition to asking them to sign a pledge to follow recently implemented guidelines on tobacco products;18 store owners signed the pledge. College task force students and a coalition volunteer assisted us with these visits. Additionally, at our November coalition meeting staff facilitated mini-training to members in attendance so that they can execute similar visits in their free time. Last but not least, information was sent to our school contacts with resources in addition to distribution of the prevention book “Uninvited Guest”. All in all, it was a successful month for tobacco prevention in Hudson County!
The Hudson County Coalition for a Drug-Free Community partnered with CarePoint Health personnel and the New Jersey State Police Department by delivering “lunch and learn” trainings to staff at multiple CarePoint facilities within Hudson County. A wide variety of nurses, residents, physicians, and students from Christ Hospital in Jersey City and Bayonne Medical Center participated, with approximately 100 total participants served.