Three Counties, One Goal
By: Rob Regler
The Southwest Council is an agency that provides drug prevention services in attempt to lower drug use and abuse. We utilize evidence-based programs to provide education to students, community members, and other key stakeholders. One thing that makes the Southwest Council unique is the counties we serve. Not only do we serve three counties, but we also serve three that could not be more different from each other. From Gloucester, Cumberland, and Salem, each county provides its own unique culture that provides a different environment and experience than others.
Gloucester county is our largest county in terms of population. With a population of over 300,000, Gloucester County provides its own unique characteristics. For one, it is the only county we service that has a four-year university with Rowan University at the heart. In addition, rather than having a few large towns such as other counties we serve, Gloucester has several smaller towns that each have their own school district. For example, Pitman is a district that is only one square mile, however it has an elementary school, middle school, and high school. While not as busy as the counties in North Jersey, Gloucester is easily the busiest county we serve in terms of traffic, store fronts, and overall population.
Salem county is our smallest county in terms of population with a population around 60,000. While Gloucester has a hustle and bustle culture, Salem County has its own unique culture based around farming. If you drive through Salem County, you will see miles of farmland. It is not uncommon for you to drive through one town and spend 10 to 15 minutes driving through farmland before you reach the next town. Unlike Gloucester, Salem County hosts multiple kindergarten through eighth grade schools that share a sending district for high school. Because there is less for young people to do in Salem County in terms of what is available to them, you will often see youth enrolled in sports year-round to keep themselves busy.
Cumberland county is arguably our most unique county. With a population around 150,000 people, Cumberland County is unique due to its diverse population and unique geographical landscape. Cumberland County is arguably as widespread as Salem, but the key difference lies in the three large cities within. Cumberland County holds Vineland which is the largest city in New Jersey in terms of square miles in addition to Millville and Bridgeton. Vineland is especially unique due to the diverse ethnic population. Many who live in Vineland often refer to the city as a “melting pot” and it is evident just through the number of different types of restaurants. Between the big three cities, you will also find farmland like that of Salem. While it is easy to focus solely on the big three cities, there is one area that is often overlooked in Cumberland and that is the port area. South of Millville, you will find several towns known for their seafood trade. Port Norris for example is known for its oyster industry. Depending on where you go in Cumberland County, you might think you are down at the beach, in the middle of farmland, or in a hustle and bustle style city.
While every county has its own unique culture, we still aim to provide the same services aimed at decreasing drug use and misuse. While the programs we utilize remain the same in each county, it is important to know that each county has its own culture and identity. If you are interested any of our services, the Southwest Council provides programs and presentations for parents, community members, and schools at no cost to the participants. If you are interested in having a presentation, please feel free to reach out at (856) 794-1011.