Everyone needs to be involved to root out the drug problem. Those thoughts were shared by Lower Township Mayor Mike Beck, who noted the importance of the schools and the recreation department in town to teach the next generation.
Lower Cape May Regional High School started a campaign called Stand UPP (Uniting Parents for Protection). Superintendent Christopher Kobik said the program asks parents to sign a pledge to certify that they are providing a drug and alcohol free environment for youth to socialize. The school will publish the list.
Substance abuse prevention is built into the seventh through 12th grade health curriculum and is also addressed at the elementary school level, said Kobik. At the high school level, drug education is part of peer leadership initiatives, mentoring programs, guidance counseling services and through an agreement with school-based Youth Services, he said.