Resisting Drug Abuse: Howell Alliance Updates Initiatives

HOWELL, NJ — Lots of initiatives are underway or under discussion to respond to substance abuse concerns in the community and schools, the coordinator of the Howell Alliance told the Howell Township Council.

At the council's recent meeting, Howell Alliance Coordinator Christa Riddle outlined strategies and plans to provide a community-driven response to the issue.

Here are the highlights of Riddle's report, as she provided after the meeting:

The Alliance's strategic plan is designed for all populations in the Howell community impacted by substance abuse, she said. Of particular concern is opioid misuse and abuse that can happen among children to seniors, Riddle said.

A coordinated approach is a hallmark of the program, she said.

The town partners with the police department. But it also partners with Howell Public Schools and Howell High School to reach students ages pre-school through high school.

"Without the schools, we have limited reach to parents and youth," Riddle noted.

She said Howell Alliance also partners with community organizations and members to implement “in-house” prevention programs tailored to specific community needs.

Riddle reported on the Howell Alliance completed projects:

• Howell High School: Five additional Narcan kits and seven more vape detectors have been installed in bathrooms, Riddle said. This is in response to an increase in fentanyl found even in some vaping products, as well as a response to the federal "One Pill Can Kill" campaign. Plus, Riddle said there is a downward trend in the age of first-time use of nicotine, THC and other substances.
• Howell Police Department: School resource and special officers are now supplied with Narcan kits and belt holders to enable an immediate response for overdose-related incidents for the protection of staff, parents and students.
• DisposeRx packets are available for at-home disposal of unwanted medications: These have been distributed at the Senior Center and across the community for immediate disposal of prescription and over-the-counter unwanted medications, she said.
• Narcan for Howell Township municipal buildings: Narcan will be distributed at Town Hall, Public Works and the Senior Center and employees will be trained in Narcan usage.

Riddle also explained some initiatives under discussion. Riddle emphasized that these are under discussion with the schools and not all may be undertaken.

"With the schools, there is policy and protocol compliance, so we have not yet reached any decisions," she said.

• Howell Public Schools K-8: For example, under discussion is a plan to place Narcan kits in all district schools - not just the high school - and installing vape detectors in both middle schools’ bathrooms. There are also various plans to consider parenting and life skills programs for younger grades and other student assistance software to address various issues, including bullying.
• Howell Police Department: Under discussion is a 24/7 Crisis Intervention Team response to overdose, DUI, and mental health police calls to assist with people receiving mental health and substance use support and treatment resources. There is also the possibility of siting an electronic message board near the road at the Police Department with prevention-related messaging.
• Youth Sports Leagues Athletes and Opioids Prevention Program: Under discussion is creating an “in-house” version so Howell Alliance can train youth sports league coaches to present information on the problem directly. Coaches could then "turnkey" information to team parents along with an informational flyer.
• Mental Health Awareness Program: Under discussion is another “in-house” version in which the Howell Alliance can train community members, first responders and professionals directly about mental health and substance use stigma, appropriate responses to assist someone with a mental health or substance use problem and appropriate support resources.

Riddle also presented an update on the township's Opioid Settlement Agreement Funds.

She said deposits total $72,754 to date. Howell joined the settlement in 2020 holding pharmaceutical supply chain participants accountable for their part in the opioid epidemic, she said. With the state, she said participating counties and municipalities will receive a total of 18 years of payments for the main agreement, plus other payments from other settlements.

She said municipalities report spending annually to the Monmouth County Advisory Council.