The Importance of Vaping Education

By Michael Regenelli

Vaping and electronic cigarettes
have become an increasingly common sight over the past few years, yet many people, parents and teachers included, don’t know much about them. The CCHCC and Southwest Council Coalitions will seek to address this by providing brief trainings regarding vaping to school personnel and parents. Our first training was held at CCHCC’s meeting on November 14.

These 20-30 minute trainings begin with a brief history on the origin of vaping. Next, current information about vaping devices and how they work is provided. Attendees have an opportunity to gain hands on experience with identifying various kinds of vaporizers. The training also explores the growing trend of vaporizers being used with drugs other than standard nicotine solu- tions; most commonly marijuana extracts. Finally, the presentations address myths and facts surrounding vaping.

Participants can expect to leave the presentation equipped to answer questions about the health effects of vaping, and signs that a student or child is vaping, as well as laws surrounding vaporizers and their use. The Southwest Council coalitions plan to offer this training to school systems as part of in service training hours. The goal will be to increase staff members’ ability to combat student vaping. For more information about these presentations and their availability, please contact Michael Regenelli (856) 794 -1011 ext. 303, Donald Noblett (856) 794-1011 ext. 316, or Candice Carter (856) 494-4950 ext 16.

THE SOUTHWEST COUNCIL AND JOSEPH WILLIAMS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE

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Joseph Williams, 

By Alexis Regenelli

A quarter of a century ago, The Southwest Council was established to provide prevention services to the communities of southwestern New Jersey. We are proud to say that our Executive Director, Joseph Williams, is also celebrating 25 years with the council this month. The staff & Board of Directors wish to thank Joe Williams for his 25 years of service to the community!

Following is an expression of Joe’s pride in The Southwest Council.

“Since 1991, The Southwest Council has been providing substance abuse prevention, education, and early intervention services to the residents of Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Counties.

The agency’s positive impact has been made possible only through the efforts of dedicated individuals, including our volunteer Executive Board of Direc- tors, our staff, and the many volunteers who assist us on a daily basis.

The Southwest Council is committed to growth and expansion based on the needs of the communities we serve. We have extended our services over the past several years to include regionally based coalitions. These coalitions have enhanced our capacity to focus on parents, military families, and older Americans through increased prevention services. The success of our grassroots coalition efforts would not be possible without the agency’s dedicated staff and the engagement of individual community members.

Through the collaborative efforts of many, we have been able to provide evidence-based services to schools, colleges, faith-based organizations, families, individuals, community alliances, professionals, and more. It is the focus of the agency to employ environmental strategies geared toward changing community norms which favor substance abuse throughout the southwestern portion of the State of New Jersey. 

Along with the coalitions, the agency has added treatment services which have allowed us to provide quality services throughout the region. Our sustainability plan included the purchase of our own building and expansion in the central part of Gloucester County with fully-staffed offices located in Mantua, New Jersey. We are proud of the dedicated staff who embrace our mission as we hold true to our vision! We will continue to provide employees - with the highest skill and experience - to teach, counsel and assist those who call upon us for ser- vices. Our work is not complete. We are committed to expanding services where the need is great. We will foster partnerships that enhance our goal, and we will ensure that the services provided are of the highest quality possible. Moving forward, we will continue to provide science-based programs, quality treatment services, and effective community-based efforts to meet the needs of the community. We truly hope we can count on your support in the coming years. ”

3rd Annual Tree of Hope

By Matthew Rudd

For the third year in a row, The Southwest Council, Inc. hosted its annual Tree of Hope Coffeehouse Event. Tree of Hope celebrates freedom from addiction, encourages individuals who are in recovery, and commemorates those who have lost their lives to overdose. It also serves as an opportunity to renew the passion of those working in the field of addiction services during the holiday season. This year’s coffeehouse featured refreshments, live music, personal stories, and information about resources available to the community.

About 150 people attended the event including various members of the local government; Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb -McCrae, and Freeholder Director Joe Derella. Both Webb-McCrae and Derella spoke on the need for continued gatherings of this type. They also discussed the importance of incorporating the recovery community into efforts of prevention.

There was no fee to attend the coffeehouse; with voluntary donations collected to support recovery services in the area. Commemorative ornaments were available for individuals to write names of their loved ones either suffering from addiction, in recovery, or whose lives were lost to overdose.

We would like to extend a special thanks to the following organizations who participated and collaborated with The Southwest Council in the planning and implementation of the event: Hendricks House, Recovery Unplugged, Cumberland Recovery Support Services Task Force, Behavioral Crossroads, Recovery Centers of America, and especially Cum- berland County Community Church in Millville for providing the venue. Stay tuned in 20107 for info. about next year’s Tree of Hope!