Warren Reporter 

The Coalition for Healthy and Safe Communities, a program of the Family Guidance Center of Warren County, is sponsoring a special Conference on Drug Trends, in collaboration with Warren County Prosecutor Richard T. Burke. The conference, titled “The Science of Addiction: Removing the Stigma,” takes place at Centenary College Oct. 27, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The conference is an integral part of developing a county-wide substance abuse prevention plan as a united community. The aim is to bring together public figures, business leaders, and members of the general community, along with the keynote and guest speakers. In doing so, the process of developing a comprehensive view of substance abuse and its impact on the greater Warren County area can begin to coalesce.

A wide variety of expert guest speakers will educate the conference on key topics related to substance abuse.

Dr. Randie O’Neil will address the teen brain and how addiction takes youth and young adults from experimentation to addiction. In addition, Dr. Kevin Sabet, a national policy leader, educator, and former senior advisor to the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, will speak to the importance of understanding the issues surrounding the potential legalization of marijuana and what this means for the future of our youth.

Rebecca Alfaro, director of Prevention and Training for the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction, will provide the state’s plan for addressing addiction in New Jersey and how that trickles down to the communities through our Municipal Alliances.

Donald Hallcom, director of Prevention and Early Intervention for the Department of Human Services through the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, will the importance of being versed in using screening techniques to identify possible substance abuse and refer individuals to treatment early.

Matt Scuteri, the media coordinator for the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, will come with a tool-box for our community on how we can bring specific programs and strategies to our schools, work-places and community at large to reduce substance abuse among our youth, young adults and residents.

Other featured speakers include Warren County Prosecutor Richard T. Burke, Coalition Coordinator Mary Jo Harris, and several Warren County students.

Seating for this special event is limited, and pre-registration is required. Participants are eligible of three hours of continuing education or professional development credits. The $25 registration fee includes breakfast and a pre-afternoon snack.

For more information contact Chelsea Volyn by emailing cvolyn@fgcwc.org or call 908-689-1000.