HOWELL – The Township Municipal Alliance is distributing 3,800 CARE substance use prevention/mental health packets to Howell’s third to eighth grade families.
The Howell Alliance in partnership with the township school district, Howell Optimist Club, and Howell Township Police Department are providing the CARE packets at laptop/tablet pick-ups.
Items included in the CARE packets feature parent/guardian information on underage drinking, social hosting, vaping, marijuana, depression, safe dating, and Internet safety, along with a community resources card so parents can get the support they need should an issue arise.
Howell Municipal Alliance Coordinator Christa Riddle thanked the Howell Police Cadets for assembling and delivering all Care Packets saying it once again showed “some great teamwork.”
She said the materials include a “second floor youth helpline and a dial 9-1-1 to save a life in case of an alcohol/drug overdose wallet cards. Both were enclosed for parents to share with their children when appropriate.
“Thanks to all who helped make this year-and-a-half-long project become a reality,” Riddle said.
She also released some alarming statistics concerning suicide incidents in Howell noting September as suicide prevention month. “These are our neighbors,” she said noting that that there were 38 overdoses in the township this year, three of which were fatal.
It was also known of 13 suicide attempts, five were listed as completions.
There were 406 crisis calls made in 2020 so far. The statics go up to September 1.
“The effects of COVID-19 stressors are being felt in Howell and communities nationwide. Howell chooses to be transparent about our numbers to help drive awareness and change as a community and without judgment,” Riddle said.
She added, “educating ourselves about substance use prevention/recovery and mental health, sharing conversation, and looking out for one another can spark positive change and lower our numbers.”
To learn about substance use prevention/recovery and mental health support resources, visit the Alliance website page twp.howell.nj.us
Riddle said parents can also visit the Friends of the Howell Township Municipal Alliance Facebook page “to see our post: facebook.com/groups/HowellAllianceFriends.
