DART Prevention Coalition

06/01/2026

Hey DART Coalition! We know how much you love your sleep - but did you know just how important it is to get healthy sleep regularly? It's more than just physical rest.

Restful sleep is essential for our brains and bodies to function properly. Good sleep habits are especially important for young people because it supports emotional balance, while also helping them learn, focus and manage stress. When sleep is consistent and restorative, it supports our overall well-being.

Take a look at our info sheet to get a better understanding of the impacts of poor sleep on your mental and physical health and learn what healthy sleep looks like - plus tips on how to improve your sleep!

Healthy Sleep One-Pager:https://files.constantcontact.com/deaa5a91901/90e78399-8791-436b-a713-0c753072d52f.pdf

Not on our email list? You can join here!: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/OVrQXsz/dartsignup

Email us with any questions at [email protected]

06/01/2026

REMINDER - The training is THIS Wednesday! If you (or someone you know) needs to be TIPS certified, especially ahead of the busy summer season, make sure they register to attend! *

Does your establishment have at least 10 staff needing to be trained and you want to inquire about a private, on-site training? Please email [email protected] for more information. *

* Open and available only to those who work or live in Ocean County.

Do you bartend or serve alcohol in Ocean County? Do you need to be TIPS® certified?

DART is offering a *FREE* upcoming training on June 3rd! Click here to learn more and to register to attend: https://conta.cc/4u2dsFr

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their legacy is a profound reminder of the values we uphold and our shared commitment to service. Let us honor their memory by continuing to serve others.

05/13/2026

Do you bartend or serve alcohol in Ocean County? Do you need to be TIPS® certified?

DART is offering a *FREE* upcoming training on June 3rd! Click here to learn more and to register to attend: https://conta.cc/4u2dsFr

04/21/2026

Hey DART Coalition! We're continuing the Alcohol Awareness Month conversation by discussing another important topic - alcohol's impact on the developing brain.

Our brains continue to develop into our mid-20s, and the teenage years mark an especially critical time for growth and adjustment. During this time, brain connections are being strengthened and refined, shaping how young people think, learn and respond to the world around them. Substances used during this time - such as alcohol - can permanently interfere with critical development, impacting memory and learning abilities, mental health, decision making skills, and even increase the risk of alcohol dependency and addiction long-term.

Start the conversation early. Make sure our youth and young adults understand the potential risks.

Make sure to check out our one-pager for more information on brain impacts and how you can help reduce the risk:https://files.constantcontact.com/deaa5a91901/13a8dd69-a52e-4ec8-bda3-e7472b5eccbd.pdf

Not on our email list? You can join here!: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/OVrQXsz/dartsignup

Email us with any questions at [email protected]

04/13/2026

Hey DART Coalition! Did you know that April is Alcohol Awareness Month? This month, one of the topics we'll be focusing on is binge drinking.

While overall underage drinking rates appear to be on the decline, binge drinking is on the rise for youth and young adults. In 2023, roughly 13.1 million people ages 12 to 25 reported binge drinking in the month before being surveyed, with youths aged 12-17 accounting for 3.3 million – increasing from only 834,000 in 2022.

Make sure to check out our one-pager (two-pager!) this month for more information on what binge drinking is, the impact to youth, how social media plays a role, signs and symptoms, and ways to help.

Binge Drinking Two-Pager:
https://www.rwjbh.org/documents/institute-for-prevention/Binge-Drinking-Impact-on-Youth-and-Young-Adults.pdf

Stay tuned for more Alcohol Awareness Month posts!

Not on our email list? You can join here!: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/OVrQXsz/dartsignup

Email us with any questions at [email protected]

03/19/2026

Hey DART Coalition - Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month?

Good nutrition plays an important role in our physical and mental well-being. Our brains require a steady supply of nutrients to regulate our mood and improve concentration, memory and emotional balance. When our nutrition is poor or lacking, our overall well-being can suffer.

See our one-pager to learn more about what foods and nutrients help build better moods, tips for healthy eating, and learn more about how using substances can negatively impact your eating habits.

Make sure to check out our one-pager on nutrition:https://files.constantcontact.com/deaa5a91901/14976831-3071-452c-9df7-33c38bdcf8c6.pdf

Not on our email list? You can join here!: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/OVrQXsz/dartsignup

Email us with any questions at [email protected]

03/04/2026

02/27/2026

Congratulations, Morgan!

Congratulations, Morgan Zapata, for completing CADCA’s National Coalition Academy! Morgan officially graduated from the academy at CADCA's National Leadership Forum Conference earlier this month.

02/27/2026

February is almost at an end, but before it goes, we wanted to discuss a very important topic - interpersonal violence and substance use.

Interpersonal violence (IPV) is an umbrella term that includes domestic violence, sexual violence and dating violence. Individuals who experience or witness IPV have a higher risk of substance use, which can create a continuous cycle of IPV and substance use. The effects of this cycle can impact children, families and communities and continue through generations. Understanding the connection between IPV and substance use is key to keeping yourself and the people you care about safe.

Learn about the connection, who is at risk, and steps you can take to prevent this, especially with our youth and young adults.

Make sure to check out our one-pager on the topic:https://www.rwjbh.org/documents/institute-for-prevention/IFPR-DART-Preventing-Interpersonal-Violence-Feb-2026.pdf

*** YOU'RE INVITED ***
We will be hosting a free virtual presentation on the topic on March 31st on Zoom for our coalition members - and you're invited! "Intimate Partner Violence and Substance Use in Young Adulthood" presented by Chelsea Stack, our Senior Youth Prevention Manager. Please email [email protected] for more information and how to register.

Not on our email list? You can join here!: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/OVrQXsz/dartsignup

Email us with any questions at [email protected]