The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and PSEG Foundation Bring Substance Use Prevention Efforts to the Classroom
June 18 2024 - 10:05AM
The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) and the PSEG
Foundation delivered the annual Third Grade Life Choices Coloring
and Activity Book to students at Alan B. Shepard Jr. Elementary
School in Old Bridge on Tuesday morning. These booklets have been
distributed statewide to educate students about the importance of
living a healthy life free of substance use and contain a contract
for students to sign and other fun prevention education activities.
“The activity book provides students information and
encouragement to make healthy decisions,” said PDFNJ Executive
Director Angelo Valente. “Educating our youth with age-appropriate
messages to prevent the misuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
in communities and schools is an ongoing effort, and the earlier we
start, the better.”
Recent studies suggest
research-based, age-appropriate prevention materials have had a
positive impact as alcohol, tobacco and substance use have
decreased among American teenagers in grades 8, 10 and 12.
By distributing the
activity book and contract through schools, PDFNJ and the PSEG
Foundation recognize educators’ key role in informing New Jersey
youth about the dangers of substance use and misuse. To highlight
the role, the activity book contract will be signed by parents and
school representatives.
“The prevention efforts
of family members and the educational system are as vital to the
mission of this program as the students’ commitment to live
drug-free,” Valente said. “Parents and caregivers provide the
guidance and emotional support to steer their children toward
healthier life choices, while schools educate students on the
positives of healthy living and the consequences of substance
use.”
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Best known for its
statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the
Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit
coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and
government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand
for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To
date, more than $200 million in broadcast time and print space has
been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it
the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s
history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 226
advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and
statewide media organizations.
- PDFNJ and PSEG Foundation Bring Substance Use Prevention
Efforts to the Classroom
Lisa Batitto
Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey
news@drugfreenj.org