The Our Communities' Greatest Challenges conference held at Raritan Valley Community College, hosted by Hunterdon Prevention Resources and Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon/Somerset, attracted about 150 professionals.
BRANCHBURG -- Chauncey Parker, director at New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, said law enforcement efforts in combating illegal drugs are more coordinated and collaborative than ever.
He shared that message at the recent Our Communities' Greatest Challenges conference held at Raritan Valley Community College. Hosted by Hunterdon Prevention Resources and Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon/Somerset, it attracted about 150 professionals.
Conference speakers included Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony Kearns, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson, Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Timothy P. McMahon, Anesthesiologist Dr. William Bentley of the Center for Advanced Pain Management at Hunterdon Medical Center and Tamara Berisha, program director of Hunterdon Healthcare Integrative Medicine.
McMahon discussed current drug trends, including new forms of marijuana use such as wax, dab, oil and budder.
"The DEA was very happy to participate in this year's Professional Conference," McMahon said. "It gave us the opportunity to speak to the audience about current drug trends; pills, heroin, Fentanyl-laced heroin, and marijuana. It is very important for us at the DEA to keep getting the word out and educating our professionals and community."
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McMahon frequently collaborates with coalitions such as Safe Communities to educate parents to be savvy to subtle signs of drug use.
An example of McMahon's Hidden in Plain Sight mock bedroom presentation was set up so participants could see ways drugs and paraphernalia are easily disguised or hidden.
Both county prosecutors provided examples of successful collaborative efforts. Through the START program, introduced in Hunterdon and recently expanded into Somerset, law enforcement and the medical community have resources to provide outreach and support to people in need of substance abuse treatment.
Hunterdon County's One Voice initiative similarly enlists the support of local faith-based leaders in sharing a coordinated prevention message in their congregations on a designated faith weekend.
The HIDTA is a federally-funded program that invests in federal, state and local law enforcement partnerships designed to build safe and healthy communities.
These include the Heroin Response Strategy and Drug Monitoring Initiative, where local police departments are able to share information about the types, quantity and toxicity of drugs being sold in particular areas.
The information reported becomes part of a database that helps to identify trends that can guide both law enforcement and prevention groups. It can also alert law enforcement of dangerous trends, such as Fentanyl-laced heroin, which can be particularly deadly.
Preventing opiate addiction is a priority concern of the medical community.
"Of the thousands of people in the U.S. who undergo common surgical procedures every day, 99-percent are prescribed post-surgical opioids," Bentley said. He discussed the importance of not overprescribing opioids and educating patients about the risks of addiction.
Alternative treatments are another strategy in preventing prescription drug addiction. Berisha discussed alternatives that expand options for treating chronic pain through holistic therapies, such as acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal medicine and nutrition counseling.
The conference has been an annual tradition of Hunterdon Prevention Resources for over 15 years, and the Safe Communities Coalition became a collaborating partner in the conference starting in 2009.
Other partners in the conference include EmPoWER Somerset, Hunterdon County Municipal Alliances, Raritan Valley Community College and Somerset County Municipal Alliances.
The Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon County meets on the second Thursday of every month at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Raritan Township from 9-10:15 a.m.
The Safe Communities Coalition of Somerset County meets every third Tuesday from 9:30-11 a.m. at Raritan Valley Community College.
For more information, call Jerri Collevechio at 908-782-3909 or jcollevechio@hunterdonprevention.com.