Sussex County CLEAR Program

06/05/2026

June is Pride Month!

Did you know? The LGBTQI+ (Le***an Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer/Questioning Intersex +) community have higher rates of substance misuse and substance use disorders than people who identify as heterosexual or cisgender. They are also more likely to experience behavioral health challenges, including depression and suicidality.

Celebrating the strength and diversity of the LGBTQI+ community fights back against social stigma, and empowers LGBTQI+ people to feel valued and included.

The RCC will have a table at Sussex Pride in Newton on June 13th. Stop by for information about our services, meetings, and events.

06/03/2026

Come see our Operation Helping Hand (OHH) team at Newton Day Festival on Spring Street in Newton, NJ 07860.

📅Saturday, June 6, 2026
📍Spring Street in Newton, NJ 07860
⌚9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Stop by our table to learn more about our community resources and support services. We are here to connect and support you!

06/01/2026

Join us for a free Narcan Training. This training covers overdose prevention strategies, including how to recognize the signs & symptoms of overdose and how to administer Narcan. Receive a free Narcan kit and local recovery resources.

📅Date: Friday, June 5
⌚Time: 4:00 - 5:00 PM
📍Location: The Center for Prevention and Counseling (61 Spring Street, Newton NJ
❓Questions? Email [email protected].

Free Narcan kits are available by calling or texting 844-SC-CLEAR (844-722-5327). For more information and to register for a training visit:
www.centerforprevention.org/narcan, tinyurl.com/NarcanTraining2026 or scan the QR code!

05/27/2026

Someone you love may face both a mental condition and a substance use challenge. They deserve steady support, starting with you.

Healing from mental health and substance use issues is not just the absence of symptoms. It is a stable home, meaningful connection, and the tools to move forward.

If someone you love faces a mental health condition and substance use challenges,

✔️988 Lifeline - Call, text, or chat 988
✔️National Su***de Prevention Lifeline – Call 800-273-8255.
✔️Crisis Textline – Text TALK to 741741.
✔️Veterans Crisis Line - Call 800-273-8255 or text 838255.
✔️Call or text our 24/7 Helpline, 844-722-5327.

05/22/2026

Free family-friendly events are hard to find! This is a great opportunity for families in Vernon and surrounding communities to have fun, enjoy a meal, connect and create lasting bonds!

05/20/2026

More than 1 in 4 adults with serious mental health conditions also experiences a substance use issue. These two are often part of the same story.

If someone you love faces a mental health condition and substance use challenges, you are not alone and neither are they. Support exists for the whole family.

If you need support, call or text our 24/7 Helpline, 844-722-5327.

05/18/2026

Language matters. Choosing supportive words can help people feel seen, heard, and respected. When we focus on the person and not the diagnosis, we create more supportive conversations about mental health.

When we understand mental health challenges can be at the root of addiction, we start asking 'how can we help?’ with no judgement. That question alone can make a big difference.

If someone you love faces a mental health condition and substance use challenges, there is support:

✔️988 Lifeline - Call, text, or chat 988
✔️National Su***de Prevention Lifeline – Call 800-273-8255.
✔️Crisis Textline – Text TALK to 741741.
✔️Veterans Crisis Line - Call 800-273-8255 or text 838255.
✔️Call or text our 24/7 Helpline, 844-722-5327.

05/12/2026

Sometimes the most important step is listening. Taking time to listen to the concerns of a young person in your life can help them feel safe sharing what they’re experiencing.

Encouraging open conversations about mental health can help children and teens feel supported in reaching out.

If someone you love faces a mental health condition and substance use challenges, you are not alone and neither are they. Support exists for the whole family.

If you need support:
988 Lifeline - Call, text, or chat 988
National Su***de Prevention Lifeline – Call 800-273-8255.
Crisis Textline – Text TALK to 741741.
Veterans Crisis Line - Call 800-273-8255 or text 838255.
Call or text our 24/7 Helpline, 844-722-5327.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms and mother figures in our lives! Today we recognize all that you do for others and remind you that your well-being matters too! 💝

If you need support, call or text our 24/7 Helpline, 844-722-5327.

05/04/2026

Young cited Vernon's 2019 involvement in Operation Helping Hand, developed by the Attorney General's Office to treat individuals with substance use disorder. The department partnered with the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office and The Center for Prevention & Counseling, going door-to-door connecting with residents and their families identified as potentially needing help.
The initiative provided avenues for help like treatment programs, support groups and hotlines to call during a crisis. The idea, Young said, was to address a problem before it culminates in an arrest or overdose.

Vernon was named the safest municipality in New Jersey by SafeWise, a safety and home security research publication, for the third consecutive year.