Statistics show drug overdoses have become the leading cause of accidental death in New Jersey. The opioid epidemic is impacting families across the state. To address this growing issue, the New Jersey School Boards Association on Wednesday, May 3, will host a conference designed to encourage schools and communities to collaborate on projects of prevention as well as intervention and treatment.
The conference is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.) at the New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Group headquarters, 301 Sullivan Way, West Trenton, NJ 08628.
The Opioid Crisis: A School Districts’ and Communities’ Call to Action will present a holistic view of the current situation, including the measures schools and communities need to take. Presenters include Stephen Stirling, NJ Advance Media reporter and author of the Herointown project; the N.J. Association of Substance Assistance Counselors, presenting on the role of schools in prevention, intervention, and treatment; panelists from an Ocean County school district which now keeps the heroin antidote, Narcan, in district health offices; Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato, on the benefits of treatment over prosecution; and representatives of the Hopewell Valley Regional Schools and Communities Healthy Communities Initiative, which will discuss ways communities can work collaboratively to provide experiences that support healthy decision making by adolescents.
Cost/Registration Information The cost is $99 per person, and the program offers 4 Board Member Academy credits. Registration of school board members and other district staff that have been reported to NJSBA through the completion of the district census form may be completed online, but only by the school business administrator, who must attach a scanned copy of the purchase order with the registration.
Other School Staff Additional district staff members may attend the program at the member rate and can register online through Eventbrite using a credit card. (Staff should check with the school business administrator as to local district policy regarding reimbursement.)
For questions regarding this program, please email Vincent DeLucia, NJSBA director of training & professional development.