Substance Abuse Prevention Program Educates Parents

DENNISVILLE – The Dennis Township Municipal Alliance hosts 15 Minute Child Break program on Dec. 3, at the Dennis Township Elementary School starting at 6 p.m.
The 15 Minute Child Break, presented by Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey, is a one-hour multi-media presentation that includes discussion of the importance of the parent or caregiver’s role on substance abuse prevention. Those who feel awkward about talking to their kids about alcohol and drugs will pick up some tips as well as learning some of the signs of use.
The presentation will also provide an education on current terminology, and trends of drug/alcohol use.
The presentation is based on New Jersey specific research conducted by the PDFNJ’s Center for Prevention Research. The presenter will be Kyran Killian, a parent educator from Vineland who has been presenting this program for the PDFNJ since 2004. He has extensive experience as both a teacher and a counselor for youth and families in drug awareness education and prevention.
The Dennis Township Municipal Alliance is an organization of volunteers using grant money from the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse to run local programs aimed at reducing alcohol and drug abuse and is especially focused on youth. The Alliance was recently involved in the annual Trunk or Treat Halloween event and participates in activities throughout the community during the entire year.
“This particular program is an excellent opportunity for parents to develop their awareness about drugs and how they impact our younger generations,” explained Kathy Pittaluga, local Alliance Committee President. “People may be surprised by what they learn and it will certainly be worthwhile to know warning signs of drug use and how to talk to our kids about it, so I strongly encourage Dennis Township parents to come out that night.”
The PDFNJ offers a variety of free programs, services and materials, with more information available at www.drugfreenj.org.
For more information about Dennis Township Municipal Alliance events, contact Anthony McCurdy, DTMA Coordinator, at amccurdy@dennistwpschools.org.
Dennis Township students are not only learning how to live healthier lives without resorting to substance abuse, they are also helping our troops overseas. Health teacher Carol Pittaluga is working with her students to support our troops deployed overseas by adopting an Army unit stationed in an undisclosed location in the country of Jordan near the Syrian border.
Each grade level will have a collection month to gather much needed items for these men. The 5th grade class kicked off the program. Its collected goodies have already been received by the troops. The 3rd graders are currently working on their collection, scheduled to be sent in late November or early December.
According to Pittaluga, most of the 40 soldiers in the unit “adopted” by her students range in age from 18 to 20. Many have never been away from home. They have requested certain basic necessities and creature comforts, including toiletries, magazines and books, junk food, pens and notepads, and cards or letters.
“This is a great way for our students to connect to the outside world and realize there are real people out there in harm’s way protecting our country,” states Pittaluga.
Teachers and staff are participating by donating to help defray the shipping costs.  
To contact Ray Rebmann, email rrebmann@cmcherald.com.