M'town's Truth About Substance Abuse

In the third of Patch's video series entitled The Truth About Substance Abuse in Middletown, Middletown Police Lt. John Maguire and Deputy Chief Craig Weber take the mic with tidbits of information about popular drugs, what dangerous drugs to watch out for, drinking, drugs and driving, statistics and penalities.

As with the first and second parts of our series, we leave you with this background reflection ...

Graduation season is upon us. It's a time to celebrate major milestones and take special care to enjoy them safely.

So, while parties are being planned and spirits are high, some are calling for a low moment of reflection and somber introspection. The idea, they say, is not to spoil the splendor, but to get celebrants through the good times without casualties.

Police have conducted presentations throughout the township to demonstrate the poignant ills of fatal car crashes and give kids a chance to learn what it's like to drive drunk in simulated conditions.

The police and the Middletown Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse theorize that hitting young people hard with the truth about the ramifications of substance abuse is the true way to prevention of addiction and/or even one-time tragedies that can ruin or take a young life in a heartbeat.

Recently, the Alliance, gathered to address parents and students, in the name of the program, with truths about whatever was asked about on the subject. Patch was there and is now presenting snippets of that conversation in a video series all week long.

Retired Middletown Police Detective Mike Slover chairs the Alliance and runs its Crossroads at Croydon Hall rehab facility in the township. He speaks in modest, stark truth terms, no apologies. He is joined by Craig Weber, deputy chief of Middletown Police Department, and John Maguire, head of the department's Traffic Bureau.

For further information on the programs offered by Crossroads and the Alliance, contact Slover at 732-615-2277