Wellness committee: PRIDE survey finds local youth substance-use rates below national averages; alcohol and marijuana remain priorities

The Bernards Township wellness committee presented findings from the 2024 PRIDE (Parent Resource Institute for Drug Education) survey and discussed training and outreach steps.

Caitlin Cartaccio of the Bernards Township Health Department presented highlights: 916 students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 completed the 2024 survey, representing about 72 percent of sixth- and eighth-graders and 55.4 percent of tenth- and twelfth-graders. The committee said local rates of substance use are lower than national averages but flagged alcohol and marijuana as priority concerns as national attitudes and legalization affect norms.

Committee members discussed tracking the data longitudinally and adding questions to better distinguish medical use from recreational marijuana or edibles. The committee also explored whether extracurricular or religious participation correlates with substance-use rates; Cartaccio agreed to look into those requests and share findings with the district.

The committee reviewed Joy Roots training outcomes: William Annin Middle School staff trained last year and have been using community circles and Viking Voices character-education practices; the district plans to use parts of Title II or Title IV funds to pay for virtual coaching sessions and estimated costs between $2,000 and $4,000 for coaching from Joy Roots.

The committee will schedule student-council visits to Liberty Corner, Mount Prospect and Oak Street schools and will meet again on Oct. 30 at Oak Street.