Founded in 2005

201 Bloomfield Ave, Suite 29
Verona, NJ 07044

Phone: (973) 571-2324
Fax: (973) 571-2327
E-mail: essexdirector@yahoo.com
Website: www.essexpreventionresources.org

Executive Director: Delma Downey-Miles, MA, ATC, LCADC, SAC

Essex Prevention Resources, Inc. is a community-oriented, non-profit organization serving the needs of the communities within Essex County. As the county’s alcohol, drug and tobacco prevention specialist, we provide services to individuals, families, professionals, community groups, schools, businesses and legislators.

We also have a prevention resource center, which includes videos, brochures and other literature addressing issues related to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. These materials are available to professionals, schools, parents and concerned community members who are looking for more
information or assistance.

Essex Prevention Resources brings the following NJPN programs to Essex County:

• Essex County Prevention Resource Center
• Childhood Drinking (CD) Coalition
• Disabilities and Addiction Project
• Faith-based Initiative
• Jason’s Message: Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse Prevention
• Take Control of Your Health
• Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE)

We also provide the following additional programs:

BABES (Beginning Alcohol and Addictions Basic Education Studies)
BABES is an 18-week (8 lessons per session), early drug intervention puppetry program designed for grades 1-3.  Students participating in the program learn important life skills while they identify, explore and learn how to appropriately manage their feelings. They also discover positive alternatives to violence and drug use and/or abuse.  

Forest Friends
Forest Friends is a 20-session (6 lessons per session), developmental puppet program designed for grades K-2.  Students participating in the program learn basic life skills and character enhancement strategies that increase their ability to resist substance use and/or abuse.  During each session, a story is portrayed by animal puppets, a discussion is held, and an activity is provided to reinforce the lesson conveyed by the story. 

Keys to Innervisions (KIV)
KIV is a 16-session, comprehensive, skill building program targeting youths ages 7 to 19 years of age. The program is designed to change, through self-empowerment, the beliefs and behaviors that lead to violence, drug abuse and other destructive activities.  Youths learn how to utilize specific tools that enable them to make positive life choices. Topics include alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention; emotional management; personal accountability; school performance; goal setting; decision- making skills and positive self-concept. As these tools are utilized, the youths’ self-esteem is developed; positive personal goals are achieved and personal empowerment is realized.