Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders welcomes residents to attend the free Fall Speaker Series addressing alcohol and drug addiction, prevention and treatment. The series is funded by the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse through the Municipal Alliance, and coordinated by the Union County Department of Human Services.
The four evening presentations are scheduled for September 19 in Rahway, October 3 in Scotch Plains, October 17 in Cranford, and November 14 in Union.
“The Freeholder Board strongly supports the Municipal Alliance’s citizen volunteers who work at the grassroots level to prevent substance abuse and promote healthy lifestyles among children, teens and adults,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Fall Speaker Series will provide valuable knowledge about health and safety issues in an informative yet entertaining way.”
The first three presentations will be made by John Kriger, a popular speaker at national and international conferences who has worked with local, state and federal agencies, colleges, school districts, corporations, and, non-profits throughout the United States. Mr. Kriger is a professional alcohol and drug counselor, and trainer who addresses individual and family issues in school, at work and at home. He is the author of The Pond: A Small Book About Big Changes.
Mr. Kriger will present “Family Dynamics of Addiction” on:
- Wednesday, September 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Rahway Public Library, 2 City Hall Plaza, Rahway.
- Wednesday, October 3 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, 667 Westfield Road, Scotch Plains.
- On Wednesday, October 17, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mr. Kriger will present “Adolescent Trends: For Adults Only” at the Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford.
The fourth and final presentation will be made by Michael Litterer of Prevention Links. Titled “Prescription 101: Prescription Medication and Heroin Abuse & Addiction,” it will be held on Wednesday, November 14 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Kean University’s STEM Auditorium, 1000 Morris Avenue in Union.
Prevention Links is a private, not-for-profit organization based in Roselle, which has taken a leadership role in the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse. The agency’s goal is to provide substance abuse information and resources for individuals, families, schools and businesses throughout Union County.
Prevention Links has also received a state grant through the Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), to lead the Health and Wellness Coalition of Union County (HAWC). The HAWC works to promote alcohol and other drug education and addiction prevention within Union County and is comprised of members of the prevention network throughout Union County.
All presentations are free and open to the public. For more information, call Union County Alliance Coordinator Deborah LaNier, Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Planning, 908-527-4852.
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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.