The Coaster
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
No Result
View All Result
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe / Renew
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Coaster
No Result
View All Result
Home Neptune

Neptune Seeks $80,000 Grant to Fight Marijuana Use by Teens

by The Coaster Editorial Staff
January 22, 2014
in Neptune
2
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare via EmailShare on Twitter

 

Cannabis_leaf.svg_By DON STINE

Marijuana is the most common illegal drug being used by Neptune teenagers today and the township’s Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcohol and Drug Abuse is seeking an $80,000 grant to help combat the problem.

Alliance coordinator Dawn Thompson told the Township Committee Monday night that the alliance hopes to fight the problem and has applied for an $80,000 grant from the Governor’s Council On Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, which is funded through fines imposed when people are arrested for impaired driving.

“We put together a pretty intense package that is pretty comprehensive, it outlines some of our former program but gives them more reach,” she said.

Thompson, who is also the township’s recreation director, said that the biggest drug issue now being faced in Neptune is marijuana use.

“Our biggest issue is marijuana use for those under age 25 and we want to debunk some of the myths and get the right messages out there,” she said.

She said that abuse and treatment for marijuana is up in the state and that it is the most prevalent problem in Neptune.

She said that out of all of the Neptune students suspected of doing drugs and chemically tested, 82 percent test positive for marijuana.

Neptune ranks second-highest in Monmouth County for treatment admissions for marijuana among individuals age 18 to 25 and, in 2012, 78 percent of the youth taken into police custody were for marijuana-related charges.

Neptune High School students reported that marijuana is the most used drug among youth in Neptune.

Thompson said that getting the schools more involved is also a part of the Alliance program that is being reviewed, as are joint programs with neighboring Asbury Park and the county.

“A lot of kids feel that marijuana is OK in places like Colorado so it is OK here. A lot of people think it is permissible,” Committeeman Kevin McMillan said.

He said he sees a lot more “smoke shops” popping up in Monmouth County where drug paraphernalia is sold, like marijuana pipes.

Mayor Michael Brantley said he hopes the Neptune program “will be significant” because many teenagers now believe smoking marijuana is something they can do.

Committeeman Randy Bishop said he knows heroin is another problem in many towns and he was “hoping that it is something we can get in front of.”

Thompson said that while that is true, marijuana use will be the main focus of the alliance’s current program.

The township will be required to provide 25 percent in matching funding if the grant is received, perhaps sometime in April. Some of the matching funds will come from Alliance funds and some from the municipal budget.

Thompson said that there used to be a $40,000 ceiling on the amount of the state grant but that has now been removed and the township is requesting $80,000.

“We have been working on this grant for about eight months and we are competing against other towns,” she said.

FOLLOW The Coaster on FACEBOOK here.

Related Posts

2 Lawsuits Filed Over Neptune City’s Marijuana Ordinance

In Neptune Another Cannabis Business OK’d

May 31, 2023

Neptune Plans Paying for Emergency Service Staff

May 30, 2023
Coaster Co-Founder, 94, Dies at Home

Longtime Neptune Activist Dies at 95

May 22, 2023
Neptune Police Chief Plans to Retire

Neptune Police Chief Plans to Retire

May 16, 2023
Seniors to Grow Herbs, Wildflowers at Center

Seniors to Grow Herbs, Wildflowers at Center

April 19, 2023
neptune police car

Neptune Man Charged with Theft of 4 Jeep Tires

March 21, 2023

Trending This Week

Ocean Grove Burglar Arrested

May 31, 2023
2 Lawsuits Filed Over Neptune City’s Marijuana Ordinance

In Neptune Another Cannabis Business OK’d

May 31, 2023
In Asbury Park School Budget Features Substantial Tax Boost

In Asbury Park School Officials Discuss Resurrecting Alternate School

June 5, 2023
$500,000 Grant For Fitness Path

Ocean Grove Residents Complain About Beach Badges Featuring a Cross

May 31, 2023

Advertisement

Advertise Online with The Coaster

Advertise on The Coaster to reach countless new customers for your local business.

START ADVERTISING TODAY

E-mail Newsletter

Sign up to get a free weekly newsletter to your inbox.

Subscribe

Contact Us

The Coaster
1011 Main St
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Phone: 732-775-3010
FAX: 732-775-8345
editor@thecoaster.net

Email Newsletter »

All Articles

Search Our Site

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 The New Coaster, LLC. All rights reserved. • Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe / Renew

© 2023 The New Coaster, LLC. All rights reserved. • Privacy Policy