MCADA Hosts Legislative Brunch and Prevention Workshop
May 02, 2011
Trenton, New Jersey —On Wednesday, April 20th, Mercer Council held its annual
Legislative Brunch and Substance Abuse workshop at Erini Restaurant in Ewing.
Dr. Donald Hallcom, Director of Prevention and Early Intervention, DHS/DAS gave
the opening remarks. Dr. Hallcom discussed some of the changes at the state
level including the merger of the Divisions of Addiction Services and Mental
Health into the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).
Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini of the 11th district was the featured speaker
and spoke on the new Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, which was signed into law in
January. The new legislation builds on current anti-bullying legislation and is
a reasonable,
cost-effective way to implement clear and comprehensive anti-bullying standards
within schools.
The law includes the appointment of school anti-bullying specialists and
district anti-bullying coordinators
“The goal of the new law is to educate parents, school officials and the general
public about the frequency and severity of the consequences of bullying
behaviors that unfortunately does occur in our schools today and, as a result,
provide hope to victims — to let them know they no longer need to suffer in
silence.” said Assemblywoman Angelini.
The Prevention Workshop “Higher Learning? Drugs on College Campus” was a panel
discussion focusing on drinking issues at Mercer County Colleges. The panelists,
representing all colleges in Mercer County included Joe Hadge (The College of
New Jersey), Valerie Brooks-Klein (Mercer County Community College), and
Margarita Leahy (Rider University). “Matt”, a college student in recovery was
also on the panel and told his story of alcohol addiction and recovery. Mary
Grace Billek, Director of the Mercer County Department of Human Services was the
moderator for the panel discussion.
About Mercer Council -- Mercer Council is a 501C (3) non-profit agency
dedicated to strengthening the foundations of children and families by
empowering them to successfully handle difficult, everyday life situations and
the impact of substance abuse. Mercer Council actively provides quality alcohol,
tobacco and other drug abuse prevention and early intervention services in
partnership with individuals, families, schools, communities, businesses and
professionals throughout Mercer County. Mercer Council is located at 447
Bellevue Avenue, Trenton, NJ.
