The mission of Defy The Issue as a community coalition involving Evesham, Medford, Medford Lakes, Mount Laurel, Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle, and Woodland is to educate families and residents of all ages about the dangers of illegal drug and alcohol use and to provide support for young people by empowering them to DEFY the pressures of drug and alcohol use. This will be accomplished through:

• A marketing campaign demonstrating solidarity for Defy The Issue
• Education, outreach, and support for families
• Community awareness soliciting sponsorship and support for Defy The Issue from all stakeholders

1. Southampton Twp. Schools & Lenape Regional High School District Parent/Student Presentation
2. Video Promos
3. Opening Day Staff Recognition Poster
4. Freshman Orientation Promotion
5. Back to School Night Promotion
6. Football Helmet Decal and Collaboration with Rec. Programs
7. Business Promotional Partnerships
8. Clings with QR Codes
9. Nike Letter
10. Family Dinner Link
11. Board of Education Updates
12. PRIDE Grant Application Submitted by LDEA
13. Medford Municipal Alliance Grant
14. Partnership with Medford Township Schools as part of the Municipal Alliance Grant
15. Partnership with Prevention Plus of Burlington County
16. Partnership with King's Crusade

Not Even Once is a collaborative effort between law enforcement and educators with the goal of informing students about the dangers of opioids.

• The 15-Minute Child Break is a FREE, interactive, one hour presentation for parents, grandparents and caregivers who are concerned about children (of any age) and substance abuse. Representatives from the Partnership meet with groups on location to deliver this informative, engaging, and education presentation.

• National Study from DrugFree.org
  
  Teen marijuana use up 80% since 2008 and 1 in 10 teens report using marijuana at least 20 times a month.
  • 6 Parenting Practices to help reduce the chances your child will develop a drug or alcohol problem

• Prescription drug abuse is not a new problem, but it is one that deserves renewed attention. According to data reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse in December 2011, prescription and over-the-counter medications account for most of the commonly abused illicit drugs by high school seniors. For example, nearly 1 in 12 high school seniors reported non-medical use of Vicodin and 1 in 20 reported abuse of OxyContin. When asked how prescription narcotics were obtained for non-medical use, 70 percent of 12th graders said they were given to them by a friend or relative.  More information at www.AmericanMedicineChest.com.
  

  Full List of Resources