Mercer Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction

Mercer Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Creating pathways to reduce substance-related challenges through education, advocacy and partnership.

💜August is National Overdose Awareness Month.We would like to thank Mayor Freda of Princeton for showing Princeton’s sup...
08/10/2026

💜August is National Overdose Awareness Month.

We would like to thank Mayor Freda of Princeton for showing Princeton’s support and commitment to raising awareness about overdose and honoring those impacted by substance use and overdose.

Together, we can raise awareness, reduce stigma, and help save lives. 💜

We're proud to share the incredible impact being made by Mercer Council's Opioid Overdose Recovery Program Team!Our dedi...
06/25/2026

We're proud to share the incredible impact being made by Mercer Council's Opioid Overdose Recovery Program Team!

Our dedicated OORP team has achieved an 85%+ success rate in connecting clients to treatment, helping individuals take critical steps toward recovery and long-term wellness. This success is driven by the commitment, expertise, and compassion of some of the most effective interventionists in Mercer County, who work tirelessly to engage individuals and families during some of their most challenging moments.

Mercer Council's OORP is focused on reducing opioid and other substance-related overdoses throughout Mercer County by helping individuals break the cycle of substance use and misuse and avoid the revolving door that so often accompanies addiction.

If you or someone you know is having an Opioid (or other related substance) challenge? Mercer OORP is here to help 24x7x365! Call our hotline at (609) 651-1623 to reach our Patient Navigator.

This life-saving work is made possible through funding from the New Jersey Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).

Every connection made, every treatment placement achieved, and every life impacted moves us closer to a healthier Mercer County. We remain committed to meeting people where they are and helping them find a path forward.

Education, awareness, and compassion are key components in addressing the opioid crisis.At this month's Prevention Coali...
06/24/2026

Education, awareness, and compassion are key components in addressing the opioid crisis.
At this month's Prevention Coalition of Mercer County meeting, our Coalition Coordinator and Mercer Council staff were pleased to welcome our newest colleague, Neil Tucker, M.Ed., EMT, EMS Patient Navigator, as a guest presenter.

Neil provided valuable training on the safe administration of Narcan and shared practical guidance on how community members can confidently respond during an overdose emergency. He also facilitated an important discussion about reducing stigma and approaching individuals affected by substance use disorder with empathy, respect, and understanding.

By equipping community partners with life-saving knowledge and promoting stigma-free support, we can help create pathways to recovery and strengthen the health and well-being of our communities.

Thank you, Neil, for sharing your expertise and helping our coalition members become better prepared to save lives and support recovery.

👏 Making an Impact Through Education and Prevention 👏Mercer Council is proud to recognize our EMS Patient Navigator, Nei...
06/22/2026

👏 Making an Impact Through Education and Prevention 👏

Mercer Council is proud to recognize our EMS Patient Navigator, Neil Tucker, M.Ed., EMT, for serving as a guest trainer at Capital Health's EMT Academy – Regional Medical Center.

Neil recently delivered the impactful 5 Minutes to Help training, equipping future EMTs with practical tools and knowledge to better recognize, respond to, and support individuals affected by substance use disorder. This innovative training emphasizes the critical role first responders play in creating meaningful connections that can encourage treatment, recovery, and hope.

As a Health Educator, former EMT, and advocate for recovery wellness, Neil continues to share his expertise with the next generation of emergency medical professionals. His commitment to overdose prevention, recovery support, and EMS education helps strengthen our region's response to the opioid crisis and improve outcomes for the communities we serve.

Thank you, Neil, for your dedication to educating and empowering future first responders!

Welcome to the Mercer Council Team, Neil Tucker, M.Ed., EMT! 🌟We are excited to introduce Neil Tucker, who joined Mercer...
06/22/2026

Welcome to the Mercer Council Team, Neil Tucker, M.Ed., EMT! 🌟

We are excited to introduce Neil Tucker, who joined Mercer Council in Spring 2026 as our new EMS Patient Navigator. In this role, Neil will help expand our Opioid Response Team's focus and work with our Emergency Medical Services and other first responders throughout Mercer County and beyond.

As a dedicated Health Educator and former EMT, Neil brings a unique blend of clinical expertise in substance use disorders, overdose prevention, recovery support, and community health. His innovative approach to somatic wellness focuses on promoting recovery and resilience among EMS professionals, first responders, and the communities they serve.

Neil has consistently been at the forefront of clinical innovation and community impact. In 2024, he was nominated for Volunteer EMT of the Year in recognition of his work with the 5 Minutes to Help training initiative. Building on this passion, he launched a healthcare consulting business supported by an NJEDA grant, providing life-saving Narcan, CPR, and First Aid training throughout New Jersey.

We are thrilled to have Neil's expertise, vision, and commitment to recovery and wellness as part of our team. Please join us in welcoming him to Mercer Council!

🚨 EMTs and Paramedics: What if the most important thing you do on a call takes only five minutes?Every day, EMS professi...
06/08/2026

🚨 EMTs and Paramedics: What if the most important thing you do on a call takes only five minutes?

Every day, EMS professionals encounter individuals experiencing substance use, behavioral health crises, and other vulnerable moments. While emergency care saves lives, a brief conversation can also help spark recovery.

That's the idea behind Five Minutes to Help—an evidence-based training designed specifically for first responders.

In just one half-day session with CEUs, you'll learn practical skills to:

✅ Build trust through stigma-free communication
✅ Apply harm reduction principles
✅ Recognize readiness for change
✅ Use brief motivational interviewing techniques
✅ Support your own resilience and well-being

📅 July 23, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

📍 Mercer Council Headquarters
1931 Brunswick Avenue
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

This training is ideal for EMTs, paramedics, EMS supervisors, and agency leaders committed to improving patient outcomes and strengthening community connections.

🎯 Register today:
https://njdoh.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8vx2yvvOpC3yIui

📧 Questions? Contact EMS Patient Navigator Neil Tucker at [email protected]

A life-saving intervention doesn't always require medication, equipment, or transport. Sometimes, it starts with a conversation.

Please share with your EMS colleagues and agencies.

🚨 First responders have a unique opportunity to not only save lives but also to plant seeds of change and hope for recov...
06/03/2026

🚨 First responders have a unique opportunity to not only save lives but also to plant seeds of change and hope for recovery.

Every crisis call holds the potential to be a turning point. We are thrilled to launch our new training program, The Five Minutes to Help, specifically built to help emergency personnel maximize the impact of even the briefest encounters.

🚑 Turning Crisis Into Recovery
First responders operate on the front lines of vulnerable moments. This evidence-based program equips teams with tactical, compassionate communication strategies to connect with patients deeply and quickly.

💡 Core Pillars of the Training:
Stigma-Free Approaches: Learn to interact with patients without judgment to build immediate trust.
Harm Reduction Principles: Focus on practical, life-saving strategies that meet patients exactly where they are.
Stages of Change: Understand a patient’s internal readiness to map out effective next steps.

Motivational Interviewing: Master brief behavioral intervention techniques that trigger internal desire for recovery.
Responder Self-Care: Prioritize reflection and mental wellness so responders can sustain their empathy and effectiveness long-term.

🔗 Ready to bring this program to your agency? Click the link send us a message to schedule a training session. https://www.mercercouncil.org/programs-services/request-services/

📣 Now Enrolling: CRAFT Program at Mercer CouncilAre you worried about a loved one's substance use and unsure how to help...
06/02/2026

📣 Now Enrolling: CRAFT Program at Mercer Council

Are you worried about a loved one's substance use and unsure how to help?

Our CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) Program provides practical, evidence-based tools to help family members and friends encourage positive change while improving their own well-being.

✨ Learn effective communication skills
✨ Build healthier relationships
✨ Gain support from experienced professionals
✨ Discover strategies that work

Space is limited. Register today and take the first step toward hope, healing, and positive change.

📞 Contact Mercer Council for enrollment information.

This week, our agency came together for a retreat focused on something foundational: culture.We spent time exploring the...
05/22/2026

This week, our agency came together for a retreat focused on something foundational: culture.

We spent time exploring the behaviors that move us closer to a truly collaborative culture — and the behaviors that can quietly sabotage it. Through honest conversations, reflection, and shared experiences, we challenged ourselves to think intentionally about how we show up for one another and for the people we serve.

What stood out most was the energy in the room: a real sense of play, curiosity, openness, and collaboration. Those moments reminded me that strong cultures aren’t built through policies alone — they’re built through relationships and the willingness to learn together.

Grateful to be part of a team open to growing not just what we do, but how we do it.

Mercer Council is proud to recognize the impactful community work of Victoria McCann in her role as Coalition Coordinato...
04/22/2026

Mercer Council is proud to recognize the impactful community work of Victoria McCann in her role as Coalition Coordinator.

Victoria recently presented to the Lawrence Township Council, helping raise awareness about the Synar Amendment, a critical federal law passed in 1992 that requires states to enforce restrictions on youth access to to***co. The goal is clear: reduce illegal sales to minors and keep the retail violation rate low. Victoria requested that Lawrence Township consider raising the fines and fees to help enforce the restrictions on youth access to to***co.

We’re grateful for leaders like Victoria who are committed to protecting youth and strengthening our communities through education and advocacy.

Address

1931 Brunswick Avenue
Lawrence, NJ
08648

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16093965874

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