http://www.njpn.org/wp-content/uploads//2010/06/NJPN-trainer-call-for-proposals-June-2010.doc

• CALL for Help
• STAY with Your Friend
• TALK with Authorities
• SAVE A LIFE

Action saves lives, so it must take place immediately on the scene. Unfortunately, minors faced with a medical emergency as a result of excessive drinking often hesitate to call for help, either because of uncertainty of the signs of alcohol poisoning or fear of facing legal charges related to alcohol possession and use. That is why New Jersey enacted the “911 Lifeline Legislation.” 

The Lifeline Legislation is a health and safety approach to an existing problem.  It is meant to do one thing, promote health and safety for minors by ensuring they receive medical attention if they need it.  By no means does this legislation condone underage drinking. Rather, it responds to cases of excessive drinking by minors when medical attention is needed and creates the opportunity for their peers to save lives that are in danger due to severe intoxication. Providing immunity under these circumstances has proven to be an effective means to encourage young people to call for help. 

Purchasing, possessing or consuming alcohol is illegal for those under the Minimum Legal Drinking Age of 21.  This legislation provides immunity from prosecution when the steps below are followed.  

If a young person is suspected of alcohol poisoning and their friend(s) want to help them, they must:

1.  Call for Help:  One of the underage persons call 9-1-1 and reports that another underage person was in need of medical assistance due to alcohol consumption. The underage person is the first person to make the 9-1-1 report;
2.  Stay with your Friend:   The underage person (and, if applicable, one or two others acting in
concert with the underage person who made the 9-1-1 call) remains on the scene with the underage
person in need of medical assistance; AND
3.  Talk with Authorities:   The underage person who called 9-1-1 (and, if applicable, one or two
others who were acting in concert with the caller) provide each of their names to the 9-1-1 operator and cooperates with medical assistance and law enforcement personnel on the scene.

The underage person who is receiving medical assistance is also immune from prosecution.   This immunity applies on public and private property.

Learn more about the new legislation.

Download a flyer with this information to share with others.

To access information about other efforts related to the prevention of underage drinking, find out more about your county’s local Childhood Drinking (CD) Coalition.

Community Coalition Coordinator

Morris County Prevention Is Key (www.mcpik.org) seeks a dynamic Community Coalition Coordinator to manage and lead a group of concerned citizens, business owners, parents, youth and other community members focused on preventing and reducing substance abuse among youth in Morris County. The coalition, called Community Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Morris (CCSHM), currently follows the philosophy and approach of the federal Drug Free Communities Support Program, which provides significant funding for local anti-drug coalitions nationwide.

The coalition coordinator manages the day-to-day programmatic and operational activities of the coalition and its membership. These responsibilities range from researching and analyzing local, state and national data on youth substance abuse to developing and maintaining relationships with key community partners and other stakeholders. The coalition coordinator also develops educational and promotional materials; conducts presentations; plans and organizes meetings, events and programs; coordinates all media and public relations activities for the coalition and MCPIK; and develops evaluation tools to track the coalition’s progress and impact on the community. The coalition coordinator serves as the public face of the coalition works collaboratively with other nonprofit organizations, government agencies, businesses and schools in Morris County on a continuing basis. The coalition coordinator will also be trained, as necessary, in prevention science and topics related to the collaborative work of anti-drug coalitions and community organizing efforts.

OTHER RESPONSIBLITIES

-Provide research support for grant writing efforts
-Provide administrative assistance and project support to other staff and programs
-Contribute to the general operations and management of the office
-Must handle multiple tasks with competing priorities at one time
-Must meet deadlines and work efficiently and independently in a flexible work environment
-Travel and work on evenings and weekends as necessary

Additional Qualifications:

-Bachelor’s Degree in a social science or relevant field
-Commitment to social justice and community issues
-Must have experience in or working knowledge of community development and mobilization, youth development principles, and community organizing approaches
-Experience developing and planning community events and educational programs
-Must have excellent written communication, verbal communication and research skills
-Must be proficient in Microsoft Office programs
-Basic professional, leadership, and public speaking skills
-Highly detail-oriented with the ability to keep track of long-term vision and goals at the same time
-Strategic and analytic thinker
-Outgoing, positive, and energetic personality
-Experience working with diverse populations
-Criminal background check required

 Send resume and cover letter to: CGoeke@mcpik.org