News
Students hear emotional testimony
For an hour and forty minutes Thursday, North Montgomery High School students and faculty were so quiet one could hear a pin drop. On the auditorium stage were two men who gave testimonies so powerful it brought many audience members to tears.
Anti-drug crusader talks to families of addicts about overcoming heroin ‘epidemic’
Two of the biggest challenges for drug addicts and the families trying to help them are overcoming the stigma of addiction and recognizing that anyone can fall prey to the disease.
2 former addicts speak about personal struggles with heroin
O’Brien, along with Steered Straight President Michael DeLeon, spoke to a filled auditorium about their struggles with addiction in hopes that future generations wouldn’t make the mistakes they had.
Middle School Students Talk Consequences of Drugs
At a special community day last Thursday; documentary filmmaker and former addict Michael DeLeon presented his “Steered Straight” program.
Filmmaker pours life savings into anti-drug crusade
The local youth rehabilitator is hard at work putting the finishing touches on his latest film, “An American Epidemic,” due out this spring.
Steered Straight Coming to Wildwood Catholic
DeLeon is bringing his Steered Straight program to Wildwood Catholic High School on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m., where he will talk about the dangers of using prescription opiates, heroin, and even marijuana.
Community Calls For Action On Rising Violence
In a forum dubbed “Stop The Violence” hosted at Cumberland County College, residents and officials took turns condemning the violence they see as ripping their communities apart.
Wildwood Students Hear Anti-Drug Message, Many Impacted by Addiction, Prison, Overdoses
A morning assembly of Wildwood Middle School students, grades 6, 7 and 8, came together Dec. 10 to hear the message of Michael DeLeon and Colin O’Brien of Steered Straight, Inc.
Berlin police, Steered Straight Meeting To Target Youth Drug Abuse
To accomplish their mission, borough police and the Cumberland County-based outreach group will hold a free community meeting early next week to raise awareness about the rise in opiate addiction and drug use among youth.
Gov. McGreevey, Parole, Police and Corrections Officials Converge to Combat Inmate Recidivism
DeLeon, who spent a decade in prison for aggravated manslaughter charges, spoke on his journey toward sobriety and what he’s seen as an overwhelming need to revamp the way the corrections system works to a room full of police chiefs, parole officials, correctional officers and others in law enforcement at Rowan College of Gloucester County on Friday.
Straight Talk for Delsea Students
The program’s mission is “to steer youth straight toward making sound, rational decisions by creating a learning experience that provides them with a message of reality and helps them make positive, informed choices.”
Getting Kids Straight For School
“We believe that we need to mentor the children and let them know that we care about them,” said Manning, pastor of the church. “We need protection in the schools with all the scares around the schools. We think we need to pray for our children to let them know that they need God’s guidance.”
Prescription Drug Dangers Discussed
SMART Moves incorporates current research about problems confronting young people and aims to provide viable solutions to help them handle challenging circumstances while avoiding risky and unhealthy behaviors.
Deadly Days
Government officials and local police departments have been scrambling to come to grips with the wave of violence sweeping through the county.
Education: One of the Keys to Breaking the Cycle of Incarceration
This event was held to raise awareness of the many challenges facing children of incarcerated parents and to discuss programs and strategies that will address their needs.
Cumberland County Prescription Drug Abuse Addressed at Community Conference
Community leaders got an education on drug abuse at the Cumberland County Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin conference on Wednesday, hearing from experts about just how prevalent the issue is.
Police Discuss Local Heroin Problem
“The cost of prescription drugs is more than the cost of heroin,” said Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae. “When they don’t have an avenue to get the prescription drugs anymore, it’s so much easier to turn into a heroin addict.”
Straight Talk About Choices
DeLeon, along with Steered Straight Vice President John Fuqua, spent the day speaking to each grade at the middle school, with the conversation getting more mature the higher the grade level.