• Smoking
  
  It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase tobacco products because cigarette smoking is highly addictive and can cause diseases like emphysema, heart disease, stroke, and cancer, even premature death. Smoking is particularly dangerous for teens because their bodies are still developing and changing. Use of cigarettes can lead to the abuse other substances. Besides that, it makes your breath smell bad and makes your teeth turn yellow
  
  In the wake of the surgeon general declaring a youth e-cigarette epidemic, Truth Initiative® has expanded its quit-smoking resources to include a first-of-its kind e-cigarette quit program. This innovative and free text message program was created with input from teens, college students and young adults who have attempted to, or successfully, quit e-cigarettes.
  
  The program is tailored by age group to give teens and young adults appropriate recommendations about quitting. The program will also serve as a resource for parents looking to help their children who now vape.
  
  Youth and young adults can access the new e-cigarette quit program by texting "DITCHJUUL" to 88709. Parents and other adults looking to help young people quit should text "QUIT" to (202) 899-7550
  
  Truth Initiative - Quitting E-Cigarettes

• Alcohol
  
  Alcohol is illegal to buy or possess if you are under age 21. It is a central nervous system depressant affecting virtually every organ in the body. It blocks the messages going to your brain and alters your perception and emotions, vision, hearing and coordination. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment, which can lead to risky behaviors. The relationship between alcohol and motor vehicle crashes is widely acknowledged. In addition, alcohol use can lead to the abuse of other substances.

• Marijuana
  
  It is illegal to buy or sell marijuana because it is highly dangerous. Marijuana affects your judgment, drains your motivation and can make you feel anxious. It affects your self-control, including your sense of time and coordination, leading to burns, falls and car crashes. It can be laced with other dangerous drug without your knowledge. “Blunts” – hollowed out cigars filled with marijuana – sometimes have substances such as cocaine, PCP, or embalming fluid added. Despite popular perception, you can become addicted to marijuana and smoking marijuana is even worse than smoking tobacco. One joint affects the lungs as much as four cigarettes.

• Synthetic Marijuana
  
  Synthetic marijuana is a designer drug in which herbs, incense or other leafy materials are sprayed with lab-synthesized liquid chemicals to mimic the effect of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in the naturally grown marijuana plant (cannabis sativa). Synthetic marijuana, also known by the name of “Spice” or “K2” is becoming increasingly popular with high school students and young adults because it can be legally obtainable from convenience stores, smoke shops, and online. Case reports and surveys have identified serious toxicities that occur with use of synthetic marijuana, and some users have required emergency room treatment. The chemicals synthesized for the production of synthetic pot can be more potent than natural THC found in marijuana, and may have more dangerous side effects.

• Inhalant Use
  
  The abuse of ordinary household products can cause severe consequences including permanent brain damage, loss of muscle control and destruction of the heart, blood, kidney, liver and bone marrow. Inhalant abuse can kill; it can kill suddenly and it can kill those who sniff for the first time.

• Cocaine and Crack
  
  Cocaine and crack are illegal and highly addictive. Even first time users may experience seizures or heart attacks, which can be fatal. People using crack and cocaine can do risky things they later regret. Car crashes, falls, burns, drowning and suicide are all linked to drug use.

• Prescription Drug Abuse
  
  Prescription medication provides many benefits when used correctly under a doctor’s care. When abused of used incorrectly they are as dangerous as illicit drugs especially when combined with alcohol and other illicit drugs. It can kill you! It is illegal for someone to take or use someone else’s prescription medication.
  
  (Source: Elks National Drug Awareness Program)

Contact a local mental health professional (therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker) or your primary health care physician to seek advice.

• NJ MADD (Mother's Against Drunk Driving) - Phone: 877-MADD-HELP

• Governor's Council of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (GCADA)

Mission Statement: The Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (GCADA) was established to reduce substance abuse, including alcoholism, and to remediate the harm and devastation caused to the citizens of the State of New Jersey particularly youth and families. GCADA coordinates state and statewide services involving alcoholism and drug abuse and is the funding source for the Municipal Alliance Program.

• National Institute on Drug Abuse

Mission: NIDA's mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. This charge has two critical components. The first is the strategic support and conduct of research across a broad range of disciplines. The second is ensuring the rapid and effective dissemination and use of the results of that research to significantly improve prevention and treatment and to inform policy as it relates to drug abuse and addiction.

• New Jersey Childhood Drinking Coalition

Overview: New Jersey’s Childhood Drinking (CD) Coalition is a collaboration of statewide stakeholder organizations that have partnered to initiate a comprehensive strategy to prevent the serious issue of childhood drinking. With research indicating that the average age of first use of alcohol is now 11 years old, the efforts of the Coalition are directed toward parents and children of all ages with an emphasis on preventing the early first use of alcohol.

• New Jersey Division of Addiction Services

Overview: Addiction Services promotes the prevention and treatment of substance disorders and supports the recovery of individuals affected by the chronic disease of addiction. Addiction Services is responsible for regulating, monitoring, planning and funding substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery support services in New Jersey. To achieve its mission, the Office provides leadership and collaborates with providers, consumers and other stakeholders to develop and sustain a system of client-centered care that is accessible, culturally competent, accountable to the public and grounded in best practices that yield measurable results.

• New Jersey Prevention Network- About NJPN

The New Jersey Prevention Network (NJPN) and its member agencies provide a coordinated approach to advocacy, collaboration, education and professional training to promote wellness and to keep individuals, families and communities healthy and safe.

• Prevention Links

Mission: Prevention Links mission is to foster, healthy, sustainable communities by empowering people through education, collaboration and linkages to resources

• The Partnership for a Drug-Free America

Overview: The Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA) is a non-profit organization that helps parents prevent, intervene in and find treatment for drug and alcohol use by their children. Bringing together renowned scientists, parent experts, and communications professionals, the Partnership translates current research on teen behavior, addiction, and treatment into easy to understand resources.

• The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey- Located in Millburn

Overview: The mission of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is, simply, to "unsell" drugs to the people of New Jersey - especially our young people.