Community Group HOPE Works to Fight Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Hightstown Councilwoman Lynne Woods has formed the Hightstown Outreach for Prevention and Education (HOPE), a community group that will address the issue of drug and alcohol abuse in Hightstown and East Windsor. 

HOPE’s main goal is to improve the communication and cooperation among groups, agencies, and individuals in the community to prevent drug abuse and underage drinking, according to the group’s mission statement. 

The core group members of HOPE represent the following local groups:

• Hightstown Police Department
• Hightstown Board of Health
• East Windsor Police Athletic League
• Hightstown High School Parent Teacher Association
• East Windsor Regional School District administration and guidance (including the student assistance counselor)
• City of Angels Hamilton 
• local clergy 

HOPE’s group members have discussed the drug and alcohol abuse problem of the Hightstown and East Windsor youth and they said that education is the first step in prevention, according to a group press release. The group talked about circulating information about free speakers to different community organizations so that parents can learn more about the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse that may be surrounding their children. 

Also, the group has talked about ways to motivate children and teenagers to ask for help by having resourceful information displayed in the schools and on the district website, the release said. 

HOPE plans on reaching out to even more local groups and inviting them to meetings to discuss possible collaborations.

HOPE meets on a monthly basis. For more information on HOPE, please contact Chairperson Lynne Woods at HighstownHOPE@gmail.com.