The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife in partnership with the Plainfield Division of Recreation will be hosting a free 2-day Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs (HOFNOD) training for adult staff and volunteers of youth-centered community and/or faith-based organizations looking to offer an ongoing or year-round youth fishing, conservation and aquatic education program. HOFNOD is a great way to introduce youth to fishing, learning about their local water and other natural resources while supporting positive outdoor recreation activities and life skills. The program is flexible enough to be tailored to fit most organizations.

Participants of this training will be responsible for delivering the program to youth from beginning to end. Organizations that participate in the program are eligible to receive: additional professional development in conservation education and angling skills, in-kind support for program materials and supplies including subsidized educational field trips. Supplemental training and recreational opportunities can be requested.

New Jersey State Police Traffic Tip--Your ability to stop and control your vehicle is significantly decreased when roads are wet, snow-covered, and, of course, icy. 

Reducing your speed in these conditions gives you a much better chance of avoiding a collision. Source NJ State Police

Local experts encourage families to take action to help keep seniors out of the hospital

MARLTON, N.J. – January 22, 2015 – As New Jersey plunges into the heart of the winter season, the risk of local seniors being hospitalized spikes to its highest of the year, despite the fact that almost half of these hospitalizations (49 percent) can be avoided with proper prevention.* According to a new study of nurses who work primarily with seniors, January, February and March are the height of hospitalization season for seniors due primarily to respiratory infections, such as flu or pneumonia, and other winter hazards.

The critical factor in reducing this spike in area hospitalizations this winter is family involvement. Nearly all nurses (99 percent) surveyed say that the role families play in keeping seniors out of the hospital is just as important as the role of the medical community.

Kane said dozens of law enforcement agencies and 17 District Attorneys worked collaboratively with her office on the nearly two-year investigation. 

\”Together we have dismantled a prescription drug ring that was a major source of supply in Philadelphia,\” Attorney General Kane said. \”The diversion of prescription narcotics in the Commonwealth feeds addiction to even deadlier street drugs, like heroin, and every one of our partners joined the fight to save lives.\”

She noted that nine out of 10 heroin addicts her office debriefs following investigations report that their addiction began with prescription drug abuse.