PLUMSTED – Community leaders, law enforcement representatives, concerned parents and children gathered for the township’s first Community Awareness Night at New Egypt High School.
The Oct. 6 forum was a collaborative effort between the DART Prevention Coalition, the Plumsted Police Department, the Plumsted Township School District and the Plumsted Municipal Alcohol and Drug Alliance, according to a press release.
Among the night’s speakers were Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Rory Wells; Jenna Reidy, a specialist at RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention; Michael Capko, manager, DART Prevention Coalition; and Police Chief Matthew Petrecca.
Capko said the idea behind the forum was for the groups to come together to host an informative session for parents. The forum featured free pizza, giveaway items and literature about addiction prevention.
“Parents are an important target to reach with underage drinking education. Many parents feel it is ‘safer’ to allow their teen to drink in their own home as opposed to drinking elsewhere. The goal of the groups associated with the program is to educate parents on the dangers of underage drinking, including the legal consequences of hosting a party in your home,” Capko said.
It was noted during the program that it is illegal for adults to serve alcohol to individuals under the age of 21 and that they can face six months jail time and a $1,000 fine, according to the press release.
Reidy spoke about her own struggles with alcohol and how those struggles began.
“I sought out alcohol because I lacked self-esteem and coping skills. I also had a genetic predisposition to addiction,” she said.
The forum also touched on the growing problem of drug abuse by teens across Ocean County and nationwide.
Petrecca thanked the Township Committee and the DART coalition for helping the police department secure a special drop box for unused drugs and medicines which if not disposed of properly, could fall into the hands of teens who use them illegally, according to the press release.
“We have zero tolerance for those who are dealing drugs. We have an open door policy at the police department. If you see something that looks wrong or have a concern about someone using or distributing drugs, contact us about it,” Petrecca said.
Mayor Jack Trotta said he was pleased with the turnout.
“This event provided some important information from knowledgeable representatives that we hope will lead to a conversation between parents and their children to prevent problems of drug and alcohol abuse,” he said.