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The Brick Times, December 3, 2016, Page 7
Spotlight On Government Correspondence & Commentary From Your Local, County, State & Federal Officials
Capitol Comments 10th Legislative District
Senator Jim Holzapfel
OCEA N COU N T Y – Legislation sponsored by Se nat or Ji m Hol z apfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuck i n (all R-10) to help prevent drug and alcohol abuse among children has cleared the Assembly Education Committee. The bill, S-1010/A-2422, encourages implementation of the Natural High D r u g P r e ve nt io n P r o gram in school districts throughout New Jersey. The national nonprofit organization inspires youth to discover, amplify and pursue their natural high so they have a reason to say no to drugs and alcohol. The program will focus on key components
OCEA N COU N T Y – Noting the staggering statistics of cases of domestic violence, Ocean County officials formally gave their support to proposed legislation that would offer additional help to protect victims of domestic violence. “Domestic violence knows no boundaries,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. “It doesn’t care how much money you make, what your gender, race, religion or nationality is or where you live. Domestic violence is in every community and affects everyone.” In an effort to provide additional protection for victims of domestic violence, the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freehold-
Assemblyman David Wolfe
Assemblyman Gregory McGuckin
Senator Jim Holzapfel Assemblyman David Wolfe • Assemblyman Gregory McGuckin
Holzapfel, Wolfe, McGuckin Bill To Help Prevent Drug & Alcohol Abuse By Children
of t h e r e s e a r c h - b a s e d curriculum developed by Natural High. “We have teamed up w it h Nat u ral Hig h be cause this is a positive, life altering program that teaches students to find their natural high through focu si ng on t hei r pa ssio n s , whe t he r t h a t i s sports, music or art,” said Holzapfel. “This program gives kids another option to resist drugs and adopt a drug-free lifestyle instead of ‘just saying no.’” Natural High was introduced to the legislators by Donald Brown, a Red Bank Catholic High School graduate and seve n -ye a r N F L Ru n n i ng Back who is now a Nat-
ural High Ambassador. Under the bill, the curriculum for the Natural H ig h D r ug P reve nt ion Program will include seven key components such as identifying and engaging in positive activities, the benefits of engaging in natural highs and the c o n s e q u e n c e s of d r u g use, setting goals, peer pressure, personal values, connecting with positive role models and the facts and my ths associated with drug use and a drugfree lifestyle. “T he passage of this legislation in the Assembly Education Committee i s a not he r v ic t o r y fo r the program and we are hopeful the bill will con-
tinue to gain momentum and event ually become law,” continued Wolfe. “We are fortunate to have Donald Brown share his experiences and bring to the forefront the important issue of reducing drug use among youths with this program.” “I’d like to thank Senator Holzapfel and Asse mbly me n Wol fe a nd McGuckin for recognizing that this program has the potential to change the lives of so many stud e nt s i n New Je r s ey,” said Brown. “I have witne s s e d , f i r s t h a nd , t he benefits of finding one’s passion and focusing att e nt io n o n a p o sit ive , dr ug free lifestyle with
the help of mentors and role models. My ultimate dream was to play in the NFL and with that desire came dedication to the s p o r t a n d f i n d i n g my natural high. My goal is to share my story with as many youths as possible. It is my hope that this legislation will help us t o r e a ch t hou s a nd s of students and teach them how to achieve their own natural high.” Natural High has an educator network of 20,000 teachers, school guidance counselors and mentors who use Natural High’s 5 0 r ol e - m o d e l v i d e o s and 150 researched based cu r r iculu m g uides and worksheets which are also
Freeholders Support Proposed Law To Protect Domestic Violence Victims
ers today passed a resolution supporting legislation sponsored by state Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer that establishes a four-year pilot program in Ocean County to electronically monitor domestic violence offenders. Ocean County Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari recently brought the matter before the Board recommending it give its support to the bill (A315). “The victims of domestic violence have been abused mentally and physically,” Vicari said. “It’s important to do all we can to strengthen laws and implement new programs that will heighten safety for the victims. They need to not only feel safe but be safe.” The legislation creates a pilot program that applies
to defendants convicted of contempt of a domestic violence restraining order. When such a defendant is released, the court may order electronic monitoring as a condition of release. Tampering with, removing or vandalizing the device will be a third degree crime which carries a three to five year prison sentence and a fine up to $15,000. Assemblyman Dancer of the 12th Legislative District has said that while the technology exists, no other states currently electronically monitor people convicted of domestic violence or who violate restraining orders. He said the bill has the potential to make New Jersey a leader in using technology to protect people from being re-victimized.
The Freeholders sent the supporting resolution to Gov. Chris Christie and legislators in the 9th, 10th, 12th and 30th state Legislative Districts. “In the United States, an average of 20 people are
physically abused by intimate partners every minute,” Director Kelly said. “That equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually. “Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato and
guided by Common Core standards, the Search Institutes research and Social-Emotional Learning principles. Natural High understands that there are life changing principles. “Our district has witnessed the devastating impacts that drug abuse has had on so many of our residents. If programs such as Natural High are incorporated into a school’s curriculum with help of ambassadors and celebrity inf luences sharing their stories, students can see that choosing a drug-free lifestyle and focusing on your natural abilities creates a path to a bright and successful future,” added McGuckin.
his staff work diligently to make certain those committing this heinous crime are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Kelly said. “This legislation is another way to help the victims.”