Wellspring Center for Prevention

03/30/2026

New data show opioid-related deaths are declining, offering encouraging signs that prevention, treatment, and overdose response efforts are making an impact.

At the same time, risks remain. Safe storage, proper disposal, and community initiatives like drug take-back events play an important role in preventing misuse and protecting families.

Read more:

Email from Wellspring Center for Prevention Get the latest updates on addiction prevention. Prevention Pulse Promoting healthier communities. Brought to you by Wellspring Center for Prevention. March

03/27/2026

What a day 💫

More moments from Wellspring’s 2026 Young Women’s Conference, where students from across Middlesex County came together for connection, growth, and empowerment.

Proud to support young women as they build confidence and strengthen decision-making skills.

Thank you again to Middlesex College for hosting and to our partners for making today possible.

Learn more:

Wellspring’s annual Young Women’s Conference empowers Middlesex County high school students through education, confidence-building, and prevention-focused workshops.

03/27/2026

Today is the day! Wellspring’s 2026 Young Women’s Conference is officially underway, bringing together young women from across Middlesex County for a day of empowerment, connection, and growth.

Through engaging workshops, meaningful conversations, and supportive community spaces, students are building confidence, strengthening decision-making skills, and learning how to navigate real-life challenges in a healthy and positive way.

We are proud to create opportunities like this that uplift young voices and invest in the future of our communities.

Learn more about our programs: https://wellspringprevention.org/our-programs/young-womens-conference/

03/26/2026

Why do teens take more risks when they are with friends?

Peer influence plays a powerful role in decision-making during adolescence. In group settings, teens are more likely to take risks, especially when trying to fit in or gain approval. Understanding this dynamic helps parents, educators, and communities respond with stronger prevention strategies and support.

Wellspring’s latest blog explores why this happens and what adults can do to guide safer choices.

Read more:

Teens often take more risks around friends than they do alone. Learn how brain development, peer influence, and belonging shape teen behavior, and how parents can respond with guidance instead of fear.

03/25/2026

Prevention does more than reduce harm. It can help create stronger futures. According to the Return on Investment of Substance Use Prevention report, prevention programs have been associated with long-term increases in employment and earnings, showing that evidence-based prevention can support opportunity as well as health. That means investing in prevention today can help young people build skills that benefit them for years to come.

Learn more:https://pttcnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024.09.27_PTTC_Return-on-Investment_FINAL.pdf

03/24/2026

New developments in New Jersey are shaping conversations around substance use, public health, and access to care.

State leaders are exploring strategies to reduce prescription drug costs, while lawmakers are also reviewing concerns related to emerging products like 7 OH compounds. These efforts highlight the importance of staying informed as new substances and healthcare challenges continue to emerge.

Read more:

Email from Wellspring Center for Prevention Get the latest updates on addiction prevention. Prevention Pulse Promoting healthier communities. Brought to you by Wellspring Center for Prevention. March

03/23/2026

Strong prevention starts with understanding the community you serve.

Wellspring Center for Prevention is offering a Community Assessment training designed for CPSs and prevention professionals earning initial or renewal credits. This course focuses on how to gather and interpret local data, identify community needs, and use that information to guide effective prevention strategies.

Build a stronger foundation for your prevention work.

Register here:

Understand your community through systematic data gathering and analysis to address local substance issues effectively.

03/16/2026

Recent reports show overdose deaths in New Jersey are declining, offering encouraging signs that prevention efforts, expanded treatment access, and overdose reversal tools are making a difference.

At the same time, policymakers and health leaders are drawing attention to the importance of continued investment in mental health services, prevention education, and community-based support systems that help protect lives across the state.

Read more:

Email from Wellspring Center for Prevention Get the latest updates on addiction prevention. Prevention Pulse Promoting healthier communities. Brought to you by Wellspring Center for Prevention. March

03/12/2026

If you are renewing your CADC or LCADC credential in 2026, Mandatory Legal Standards training is an important requirement to complete.

Wellspring Center for Prevention is offering a 6-hour live Zoom course on March 18 that satisfies the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs requirement. The training is interactive and led by Joseph Williams, LPC, LCADC, ACS, CCS, CPS.

Only 10 seats remain.

Register here:

Join our Legal Standards course for L/CADCs in NJ covering law changes, telehealth, and more.

03/11/2026

In New Jersey, nearly 4 percent of all deaths are linked to drug overdoses. That means thousands of families across our state are affected by substance misuse each year.

Statistics like this remind us why prevention education, community support, and early intervention remain so important. When communities understand the risks, they are better equipped to respond with compassion, awareness, and action.

Learn more: https://drugabusestatistics.org/drug-overdose-deaths/

The number of deaths per year from accidental drug overdose, including methadone, co***ne, fentanyl & other prescription drugs.

03/10/2026

What do students actually see when it comes to substance use in high school?

A new blog from Wellspring shares a student perspective on teen substance use, highlighting the difference between adult assumptions and what many young people experience in their everyday school environments. Understanding these perspectives can help parents, educators, and communities support healthier choices and more effective prevention conversations.

Read the full blog:

A high school student shares their perspective on how teens actually notice substance use at school and why prevention messages sometimes miss the mark.

03/09/2026

New strategies are emerging to address overdose and connect people with support. New Jersey is expanding harm reduction programs that help prevent overdoses and link individuals to health services, while new technologies are being developed to detect overdose risk and improve outreach.

These developments show how prevention, treatment, and innovation are working together to strengthen public health responses.

Read more:

Email from Wellspring Center for Prevention Get the latest updates on addiction prevention. Prevention Pulse Promoting healthier communities. Brought to you by Wellspring Center for Prevention. March