Presentations

This presentation provides an up-to-date overview of emerging substance use trends impacting youth and communities. Topics include vaping, marijuana (including concentrates, edibles, CBD, and Delta-8), prescription medications, kratom, and other high-risk substances. Participants learn about the latest research, legal considerations, and health effects, as well as marketing tactics targeting young people. The program also addresses the dangers of counterfeit products, black-market sales, and co-occurring mental health challenges. Designed for both prevention professionals and community members, it equips attendees with the knowledge to recognize risks and promote safer choices.

Outcomes: Participants gain up-to-date knowledge of emerging substance use trends, including vaping, cannabis derivatives, and counterfeit pills, and learn how to recognize warning signs in their communities.

Evaluations show increased awareness of local drug use patterns and improved confidence in discussing prevention strategies.

This presentation helps parents, educators, and community members understand the digital world youth are navigating daily. It covers social media trends, online communication codes, and the risks of sharing personal information, including sexting laws in New Jersey. Participants learn about the potential mental health impacts of constant connectivity, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful online content. The program also addresses gaming platform safety, legal consequences of inappropriate online behavior, and strategies for guiding safe, responsible internet use. Through real-world examples and discussion, it equips adults to better protect and support young people online.

Outcomes: Participants demonstrate greater understanding of online risks, digital peer pressure, and healthy coping strategies.

Evaluations indicate reduced willingness to engage in risky social media challenges and improved self-regulation.

Dating Safety is an interactive presentation that educates youth on healthy relationships, communication, and personal boundaries. Participants explore topics like social media risks, sexting laws in New Jersey, and how alcohol can contribute to sexual assault. Activities such as “Dating Bingo” engage students in identifying qualities they value in relationships, while quizzes dispel common myths about sexual assault. The program emphasizes equal power in relationships, the importance of consent, and recognizing abusive behaviors. Designed to be relatable and discussion-driven, it encourages informed, respectful decision-making in dating situations.

Outcomes: Youth demonstrate a stronger understanding of healthy vs. unhealthy relationship behaviors and report increased confidence in setting boundaries and seeking help.

This presentation educates youth on the dangers of vaping, nicotine addiction, and tobacco industry marketing tactics. Participants learn about the health risks of e-cigarettes, including harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and diacetyl, as well as the dangers of defective batteries and explosions. The program covers how nicotine amounts in vaping products compare to cigarettes, the risks of smokeless tobacco, and the appeal of flavored products to young people. Engaging quizzes and real-world statistics help debunk myths about vaping safety. The presentation encourages critical thinking and informed decision-making to avoid nicotine use.

Outcomes: Students identify misconceptions about vaping and report increased awareness of nicotine addiction risks.

Evaluations indicate higher refusal skills and improved perception of risk.

Designed for high school students, this presentation addresses the various risks surrounding prom season, including vaping, alcohol, edibles, concentrates, and fentanyl. It uses statistics and relatable scenarios to explain the dangers of substance use, impaired judgment, and sexual assault. Students learn about New Jersey laws on social host liability, underage drinking, and consent, as well as how to spot alcohol poisoning. The program also explores how social media and marketing target youth, encouraging critical thinking about personal safety. Through interactive discussion, it empowers students to make informed, responsible choices before, during, and after prom.

Outcomes: Youth report improved awareness of peer pressure dynamics, transportation safety, and the importance of alcohol-free celebrations.

Post-session feedback reflects stronger family communication around expectations and safety planning.

This presentation helps parents prepare their teens for a safe and enjoyable prom season by addressing the high-risk behaviors often associated with these events. It covers alcohol laws in New Jersey, the dangers of impaired driving, and the increased risks of sexual assault during prom and graduation months. Parents learn strategies for communicating expectations, setting boundaries, and creating safety plans with their teens. The program also provides tips for hosting safe, alcohol-free celebrations at home and guidance on recognizing signs of alcohol poisoning. Emphasis is placed on fostering trust, open dialogue, and quick access to help if needed.

Outcomes: Parents report greater confidence in communicating with their teens about prom safety, substance use, and boundaries.

Evaluations show improved parent-teen dialogue and stronger alignment on family rules and consequences.

This presentation explores the impact of marijuana use among youth, with a focus on trends in Middlesex County and New Jersey. Participants learn about legalization timelines, the rise in youth perceptions that marijuana use is harmless, and the health risks of THC on the adolescent brain. The program covers various forms of cannabis, including edibles, concentrates, and Delta-8 products, as well as New Jersey’s packaging and labeling laws. It addresses common misconceptions about addiction and overdose, and offers guidance for recognizing signs a student may be under the influence. Attendees also review school protocols for responding to suspected impairment.

Outcomes: Audiences show greater understanding of cannabis potency, youth perception risks, and current New Jersey regulations.

Pre-/post-evaluations reveal more accurate attitudes toward cannabis and reduced normalization of use.

This presentation educates youth on the effects of alcohol on the body and brain, the risks of binge drinking, and the dangers of alcohol poisoning. Participants learn how alcohol impacts judgment, coordination, memory, and emotional regulation, as well as its role in leading causes of death among young people. The program covers legal drinking age laws, serving sizes, and how to recognize and respond to alcohol poisoning, including information on New Jersey’s 911 Good Samaritan Law. Interactive discussion helps debunk myths and encourages safer decision-making. The goal is to equip participants with knowledge to protect themselves and their peers in real-world situations.

Outcomes: Students increase their knowledge of the legal and health consequences of underage drinking and report improved decision-making skills.

This program empowers students to develop leadership skills, effective communication, and emotional awareness. Participants explore qualities of a good leader, strategies for expressing feelings constructively, and techniques like “I” messages and mindfulness to manage conflict. The presentation addresses peer pressure, body language, and decision-making, offering practical refusal skills and ways to support peers in difficult situations. Through interactive activities, students learn how influences from family, media, and community shape their choices. The goal is to build confident, respectful leaders who can positively impact their schools and communities.

Outcomes: Participants build self-efficacy, peer-leadership, and refusal skills through interactive exercises.

Evaluations show improvement in communication, teamwork, and positive peer influence.

This presentation explores the impact of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on long-term health, behavior, and substance use risk. Participants learn about the original CDC-Kaiser ACE Study, additional ACEs such as bullying and community violence, and how higher ACE scores correlate with increased risks of chronic disease, mental illness, and addiction. The program explains different types of trauma (acute, chronic, complex, and historical) and how they can affect development and daily functioning. It also addresses compassion fatigue for caregivers and provides practical self-care strategies to promote resilience. Resources and tools are shared to help individuals and communities support healing and prevent negative outcomes.

Outcomes: Adults report better stress-management skills and higher confidence using mindfulness and coping techniques after the session.