Lacey Public Service Announcement A Stark Warning On The Dangers Of Heroin

The video begins with a baby smiling and gurgling at his father. The year is 1998.

The video ends in 2017, with the father kneeling before his son's coffin. Dead from a heroin overdose. It's a compelling reminder of the endless toll the monster drug takes from people, even right here in Lacey Township.

Many hands went into the the public safety announcement on heroin, which was made and produced by students and staff from the Lacey Township High School's telecommunications class, the Lacey Middle School staff, the police department and Lacey Township emergency services

The idea of a PSA on heroin began back in August 2016. After endless hours of production work it was completed and presented by Police Chief Michael C. DiBella at the recent "Red Night Out" event earlier this month.

The students and staff involved in the PSA were acknowledged during the presentations by receiving a Certificate of Recognition from Mayor Peter Curatolo and Chief Michael C. DiBella (See attached link for the PSA below).

"Lacey Township continues to be at the forefront of battling the heroin epidemic," DiBella said. "The Lacey Township Police Department will continue to fight this heroin epidemic from all angles, including but not limited to enforcement, education, prevention, treatment and recovery."

There were 207 overdose deaths in Ocean County in 2016. Authorities are projecting 300 overdose death by the time 2017 is over.

If you need help, contact the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office's HARP program at 888-520-0400 or the New Jersey Hotline at 888-844-Reach-NJ or ReachNJ.gov.

Video courtesy of Lacey Township Police Chief Michael C. DiBella.

Image: Patch file photo.