"ZAP" is the 2014 motto for the West Milford Township Health Advisory Board. At its Jan. 28 reorganization meeting, the board focused on ways to ZAP out the town’s drug problems. In that effort, the board will join with other groups, such as C.A.S.A., the Committee Against Substance Abuse. C.A.S.A. will be utilizing ZAP - Zero Abuse Period! - with its efforts in performing and community awareness.
The board’s focus is on educating the public about the significant extent of the town’s drug problems. Each board member knew of residents involved in abusing or selling drugs in the recent past. Police Officer Eric Darnsteadt told the board about many more drug problems, including “Molly,” a relatively new street drug.
Township drug arrest numbers during the past year, obtained from Chief Tim Storbeck, were high. The greatest was for marijuana (105), followed by drug paraphernalia (53), and heroin (53). Fewer arrests were for prescription drugs (27), cocaine (21), and steroids (2). A serious problem is that 113 of the arrests were for minors under age 21.
One part of the board’s drug education is to publish information in the West Milford Messenger, which is delivered to all township residents. The articles will combine medical information on the destructive effects that drugs can have on the human body with human-interest stories about people involved with drugs. No names or other identifying information will be published.
To have a broad spectrum of information, the board asks that town residents email their stories about drug problems to Councilwoman Ada Erik at Erik@WestMilford.org or to bring or send them to the town hall at 1480 Union Valley Road. West Milford NJ 07480. Input from residents living throughout the town can provide a more comprehensive picture of the town’s problems. Some of those stories will be printed in the Messenger.
The board also solicits residents’ suggestions on ways to ZAP out the town’s drug problems. Those suggestions can go to C.A.S.A. c/o West Milford Community Services and Recreation at 1810 Macopin Road, West Milford, by FAX 973-728-2869, or by email to Recreation@WestMilford.org. Those ZAP suggestions should be submitted on forms obtained at C.A.S.A.’s Hillcrest office, or from the township Web site, www.WestMilford.org, by clicking on Community Services and Recreation’s home page.
Suggestions from seventh and eighth graders will be entered into a contest with winners receiving an iPod Touch worth over $200 if they enter by March 31, 2014. Questions about these C.A.S.A. activities can be addressed to Marlene Terhune at 973-728-2860.
Although drug problems exist throughout New Jersey, West Milford cares enough to organize a community-wide effort to reduce and hopefully end those problems. Please tell your relatives, friends and neighbors about the drug information in this newspaper article. Also, keep an eye on the Messenger newspaper to learn about C.A.S.A. and the board’s future efforts to ZAP out the town’s drug problems.
West Milford Health Advisory Board
West Milford