The Caldwell/West Caldwell Municipal Alliance will host its 6th Annual Three-on-Three Basketball Tournament on Friday, April 29, at the Newman Athletic Center on the campus of Caldwell College. This tournament, which has been a leading fundraiser for the organization, helps support Municipal Alliance initiatives. The Municipal Alliance is a collaborative effort among law enforcement, schools and the community. The main goal of the Alliance is the prevention of substance abuse, such as alcohol and other types of drugs. Over the past few years, the Alliance has also broadened its awareness …

Red Ribbon Week is a week in which our students are reminded of the problems and dangers of taking illegal drugs. This awareness campaign is a national one, taking place during the last full week in October, encompassing both weekends. This year, Red Ribbon Week was observed in our schools during the week of Oct. 23 through 31. This drug awareness campaign was created after a U.S. Drug Enforcement agent was killed in the line of duty in 1985, while investigating a drug cartel in Mexico. Hundreds of people, moved by this officer's story, pledged to live drug-free lives, and carry on the agent'…

Halloween is a fun time for children–and adults, too! Costumes, trick-or-treating, and, of course, lots of candy. But these safety tips should be kept in mind before the vampires and superheroes begin their trek: Costumes: -       Costumes should be short enough so that your child doesn't trip on it, either walking, or going up and down stairs -       Costumes should have strips of reflective tape, if your child is going out at night -       Comfortable shoes are a must for trick-or-treating -       Flashlights will help your child navigate unfamiliar home entries at night -       Costumes …

Going back to school is an exciting time for children. Seeing friends again, catching up on what everyone did over the summer, and of course, meeting a new teacher. Arriving at school, either by walking, riding a bicycle or driven in a car or bus is the first safety priority of each day. Here are some suggestions for getting to school safely. If your child is a walker If possible, walk the route to school with your child before the first day of school. Point out any obstacles, such as overgrown trees that might block your child's vision when crossing the street.  Remind your child about the …

The Internet is a wonderful and exciting tool. When used appropriately, a user can find endless information, entertainment and ways to communicate with family and friends. While the vast majority of Internet sites are safe, the cyber world, much like the real world, has its fair share of problems. Adults and children alike should be cautious when "surfing the net."  It is important to educate yourself on ways to safeguard yourself, as well as your children, from online predators and criminals. Below are a few safety tips to help you protect your child. I have also included several excellent …

While recent studies show that illicit drug use among teenagers has declined, a relatively new threat to our nation's youth is quickly surfacing—the abuse of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication is on the rise. Understanding the risk of prescription drug abuse among teens can be difficult. For many years, we have heard about the harmful effects of illicit drug use; but not until recently have we recognized that prescription and OTC drug abuse is a growing problem that places many teenagers at serious risk.   Prescription drug abuse is the misuse of prescribed medicine for the …

I recently had the opportunity to meet with many Essex County residents to provide a presentation on Bullying Among Youth. My audience consisted of parents and children. The topic is an important one. Public awareness campaigns addressing this issue are often overlooked, as many feel bullying hasn't surfaced in their lives. Despite what many might think, bullying is very common, and they might just be missing critical warning signs. So what is bullying, and why should we be concerned about it? Bullying is an aggressive behavior that intends to cause harm or distress and it is often repeated …