Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fentanyl And Youth Outreach topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Edison officials, community groups bring Black Poster Project to St. Thomas Aquinus School to warn students about fentanyl
Summary
Edison Addiction Services, Edison Police Department officers and Mayor Sam Johi presented the Black Poster Project at St. Thomas Aquinus School to show students the dangers of fentanyl, highlight police–mental health response teams, and note that Narcan is available free at town hall.
Edison Addiction Services and local officials visited St. Thomas Aquinus School for the Black Poster Project to warn students about addiction and the risks of fentanyl. Holly, with Edison Addiction Services, opened the program and told students that “we do have Narcan available at town hall... it's free of charge,” adding attendees can obtain it from the health department.
Sergeant Matthew Mishowski of the Edison Police Department said the program has been presented in several schools and is intended to let young people and their families know where to turn for help. “We have the full-time unit with the arrive together uh program that we team up with mental health specialists who go out in the community in the police cars with us to help people in crisis,” Mishowski said, describing the department’s partnership model.
Detective Chris Apollo of the Edison Police Department’s Community Policing Unit reiterated that the department offers multiple services and stands ready to assist community members: “We have an ample amount of services and anything that the police department can do, we are willing to help.”
Mayor Sam Johi, introduced himself as mayor of Edison and shared personal experience with friends lost to addiction, praising the school’s project. Pointing to the display, he said, “This is the amount of fentanyl needed to kill the average adult. True story,” using the poster to underline how a very small visible speck can be lethal. He urged students and parents to recognize depression and addiction early and to support one another.
The event included an emotional student reading reflecting on belonging that followed the officials’ remarks. Organizers emphasized outreach and prevention rather than any policy action; no formal votes or decisions were taken at the event.
The Black Poster Project event combined information about overdose risk, local crisis-response partnerships and resources for immediate help — including free Narcan at town hall — and closed with student reflections.
