Click Here to Launch to the Membership Page of Asapnj.org

Existing members, you will get an email from RefSec with your personal PIN; make sure to update your personal information and pay your dues by no later than October 31, 2021.

If you have any questions that pertain to membership, please contact our Membership Chair Andrea Saladino directly. asapnjmembership@gmail.com

Please mark your calendars for our 35th Annual ASAP-NJ State Conference to be held Virtually this year. The date is set for March 4, 2022. Please stay tuned via RefSac for more information to follow, including registration, workshops, agenda, etc. Many of you need to let your districts know in a timely fashion.

Title: ASAP-NJ 35th Annual Conference: What’s in Your Toolkit?

Date: Friday, March 4, 2022

Time: 9AM-1:30PM

3.5 PD hours

Payment: Members- FREE

Non-Members- $25

1. Plan ahead. Mark dates on your calendar for shopping, wrapping, baking, sending cards and the like. Remember: your job, household chores and other responsibilities don’t disappear just because you’ve added to your list. Make sure you have enough time to get everything done.
2. Set a budget and stick to it. Remember that the cost of a gift does not define the value of a relationship. Don’t put more on your credit card than you’ll be able to pay next month.
3. Eat healthy and exercise. It’s tempting to think that you’re too busy to exercise, and it’s really tempting to overindulge at holiday parties. Extra fats and sweets can lower your physical and emotional energy levels.
4. See the light of day. Many people suffer from seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression, during this time of year simply because our hours of daylight are shorter. Try to get out for a walk each day during daylight hours, or use a full-spectrum lamp for 20 minutes a day.
5. Make time for yourself. Whether it’s an exercise class, a walk around the block or a meditation session, make sure to set aside some time at least a few days a week to do something you enjoy.
6. Own your feelings. You may feel more upset than usual over the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship or unemployment during the holidays. Do your best to enjoy the festivities without the pressure of feeling like you need to be happy all the time.
7. Get help if you need it. Depression is a treatable illness. If you have persistent symptoms of sadness, anxiety or hopelessness, seek the advice of a health care professional.

One of the best resources for Violence Prevention is from the Sandy Hook Promise.

From Tragedy To Transformation Click Here for their RESOURCES

Sandy Hook Promise is a national nonprofit organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. Based in Newtown, Connecticut, our intent is to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation. By empowering youth to “know the signs” and uniting all people who value the protection of children, we can take meaningful actions in schools, homes, and communities to prevent gun violence and stop the tragic loss of life.

Click Here to read more

Pills Purchased Outside of a Licensed Pharmacy are Illegal, Dangerous, and Potentially Deadly

The Drug Enforcement Administration warns the American public of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Returning to the classroom and regular activities after the disruptions of COVID-19 may cause stress and anxiety for students of any age. These feelings are normal and to be expected; everyone has tough days, but if children or adolescents are exhibiting unusual behavior for extended periods, they may be in need of additional support and care. We created this webpage to guide young people and their families to resources that promote student health and well-being, including mental health. Click Here

Click Here to Register or call us at 833-795-QUIT to learn more.

On average, people are four times more likely to quit smoking or vaping when participating in a structured program than attempting to quit on their own. It’s important to have a plan and some help. The RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery offers FREE tobacco and nicotine treatment services, which include working with a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist and free nicotine replacement therapies including patches, gum, and lozenges (no insurance required).

Our Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists continue to provide services while practicing safe social distancing. Treatment sessions are currently being conducted via phone and web, with virtual group/individual counseling and delivery of nicotine replacement therapies via mail.

Article- This is the Teenage Brain on Social Media

Article- How Depression Affects Learning

Article-Why We're All Addicted to Texts, Twitter and Google

Article- 8 Hidden Ways Depression Affects You at School

UCLA Scholarly Article- The Difference Between online learning and social media is DOPAMINE.

Trauma Informed Classroom- Click Here to learn how to support students. The Pandemic is Trauma!

Unhealthy vs. Healthy Relationships

Does your partner…

• Tell you that you are nothing without them?
• Put down your accomplishments or goals?
• Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance?
• Embarrass or make fun of you in front of your friends or family?

Do you…

• Sometimes feel scared of how your partner will act?
• Constantly make excuses to other people for your partner’s behavior?
• Try not to do anything that would cause conflict or make your partner angry?
  
• Feel like no matter what you do, your partner is never happy with you?

Answering “Yes” to any of these questions indicates that your relationship is unhealthy and perhaps even abusive.

Resources for Getting HELP for Abusive Relationships at 180 Turning Lives Around

AAA Northeast has a wonderful E-learning Module for health and driver education teachers: Shifting Gears, the Blunt Truth about marijuana and driving. Click Here for more information

Click Here for the Counseling Information to Screen for Substance Abuse. What makes school-based SBIRT both effective and practical to implement is that it only requires the training of school staff to administer the screening, which would identify warning signs of mental health or substance abuse issues. Students exhibiting these signs would receive a brief intervention, and if deemed appropriate referred for proactive treatment.

Nell Geiger, LPC Bordentown SAC Counselor: “SBIRT is simply asking direct substance abuse and Mental health questions to an adolescent who wants to talk, it's pure, honest conversation starters that allow our youth to share confidentially, let's just ask, their voices need to be heard"

Click Here to Register for the Annual Conference October 28th & 29th 9am

On Oct. 28, there will be a 3-hour presentation by Steve Crimando MA, CTM, BCETS, CHPP. member of the New Jersey Department of Human Services' Disaster and Terrorism Branch on Behavioral Health: Forgotten Front Line Workers. He’ll discuss Behavioral Healthcare Workers’ Pandemic Fatigue, how Covid-19 has impacted mental health for children and adults and what providers need to know about their staff.

On Oct 29th Michael M. Miller, MD, DFASAM, DLFAPA will present: Alcohol’s Impact on Health, with Emphasis on Increase of Alcohol Consumption During Covid-19 Pandemic. This session will review broad public health impacts of alcohol and its role in the Diseases of Despair that have affected US life expectancy, and the changes in use since the start of 2020. Marijuana: Weeding Through the Facts. This educational session will strive to clarify the basics

Please Click Here for Registration and more info.

11/18 12:00 pm – 1:30 Injection Drug Use Part 1: Communicable Infections

12/8 12:00 pm – 1:30 Injection Drug Use Part 2: Non-communicable Infections

12/16 12:00 pm – 1:30 Overamping: Psychostimulant Overdose

1/13 12:00 pm – 1:30 Safer Smoking and Sniffing

1/2712:00 pm – 1:30 Let’s Talk About Sex

Know anyone who is in need of referral to treatment?

Click here to access our online help-tool. Or, call the statewide Addiction Access Center at 844-276-2777.

Harm reduction strategies and tools should be accessible to everyone – regardless of location, time and or experience. National Harm Reduction Coalition offers a series of self-paced online learning modules that groups and individuals can complete on their own schedule and terms – anytime, anywhere. Click Here

Please join Pocono Mountain Recovery Center and Huntington Creek Recovery Center on Friday, December 17th for this FREE, accredited training opportunity! During this training, our facilitator will discuss trauma and its impact, help our guests to understand the cycle of trauma, and review a 3-stage clinical map to post-traumatic growth.

CLICK HERE or on the image above to register today!

Questions? Contact Julia.Latimer@acadiahealthcare.com

Medication for Opioid Use Disorder

Peer Recovery Support Training

Live Virtual Training:

Part One: Thursday, 11/04/2021*

Part Two: Friday, 11/05/2021*

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Each Day

*(Must attend both days to receive credit, partial credit will not be given).

CSOC & Affiliates Panel/ Marijuana/Mental Health

Friday, October 15, 2021 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

To Register Click Here

Thanks to all who have already registered. If you have NOT registered, please do so, we want you to be a part of this amazing discussion. We will have speakers from Wellspring, Monmouth Cares, YMCA, CPC, FBSA, DCPP, MHA, CCIS and so much more! Registration closes on 10/8. The meeting link will be sent on 10/12. https://events.co.monmouth.nj.us?agency=ciacc

Panorama has modules to watch from a variety of vendors that give professional development certificates of attendance. This will give a range of topics from character education to ways to combat covid stress. Click Here and scroll down for all the opportunities available for free.

JUST Think Twice Click the link to join the publication and notifications.

This is a United States Government, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website.

The Center offers a tool kit to understand the impact of the legalization of Marijuana. Please click here to get connected with the resources. The Center offers many evidence-based programs and evidence-informed programs for youth from Kindergarten to 12th grade and professionals that are recommended by several agencies, such as Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), evidenced-based registries, and the New Jersey Department of Education.

If you are a SAC or other Prevention Specialist/ Counselor this is a valuable newsletter from the Wellspring Center for Prevention. They tailor their programming for families, children and adults. Access to this newsletter will give you so much support and resources to share. Click Here to Join the list.

Every Brain Matters is a community of support, advocacy, and science. Join us, as we call for a cultural change with the widespread use of our logo, which unites us and symbolizes both “freedom from marijuana” and optimal brain and environmental health.