MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders today honored four volunteers from Municipal Alliance Programs in the county for their exemplary efforts to battle alcohol and drug abuse across Morris County.
Judy Carbone of Long Hill, Laurie Cama of Morris Plains and Janet Boetticher of Jefferson who accepted on behalf of herself and her daughter Brittany Boetticher of Jefferson, received resolutions of congratulations from the freeholders for their efforts in Stigma-Free Morris County to encourage treatment and recovery for persons addicted by substance abuse.
Cama, who volunteers for the Morris Plains Municipal Alliance, recently was named Morris County Volunteer of the Year by the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
“These women are leaders in our battle against opioid addiction and other substance abuses that are taking lives and destroying families across our county and state,’’ said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana.
“They are making a difference by standing up against addictions and helping residents find the programs, and treatments, and support they need to live better lives. We congratulate them,’’ added Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo.
Joining the freeholders in presenting the resolutions were Morris County Director of Human Services Jennifer Carpinteri and Morris County Alliance Coordinator Steve Nebesni.
The Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse funds Municipal Alliances in all 21 New Jersey counties.
Municipal Alliance networks in each county are comprised of local, volunteer organizations. This statewide network assesses needs, sets priorities, develops plans and implements programs that form the foundation of New Jersey’s substance abuse prevention activities.
In Morris County, there are 28 Municipal Alliances – including some regional organizations – that represent 33 Morris County towns.
Laurie Cama: She positively transformed the after-school Stage Fun program and initiated a new program called Odyssey of the Mind. These programs, which are designed to enhance developmental assets and strengthen resistance skills, have enjoyed excellent results and feedback from the community
During the course of her time volunteering for the Morris Plains Municipal Alliance, Laurie has developed partnerships with her place of employment, BASF, as well as community and school district partnerships, to help the Municipal Alliance achieve its goals.
Judy Carbone: As a member of the Watchung Hills Regional Municipal Alliance, she was instrumental in implementing the annual “Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day” activities in Long Hill. She organized a student volunteers’ door-to-door campaign in the community and visited local doctors’ offices to distribute information and raise awareness on the addictive qualities of opioids and the dangers of overprescribing.
Judy took charge of the “Get Your ID Out” Campaign, which supplies liquor storeowners with literature and ID checking equipment. Also, she spearheaded the grassroots Morris County Stigma-Free Initiative in Long Hill.
Brittany Boetticher: She has been an active Jefferson Township Municipal Alliance member since eighth grade, recruiting many teen Alliance members and participating in numerous events, such as Project Purple, Drug Facts Week, Red Ribbon Week and the Pinwheel Project, among others.
In addition, she is involved in various community organizations, including the Girl Scouts in which she is working on her Gold Award, entitled “Project Speak Out!” that deals with suicide prevention. She serves on the Jefferson Alliance alongside her mom, Janet Boetticher, making quite a mother-daughter community service team.
Janet Boetticher: As a member of the Jefferson Municipal Alliance, Janet has been involved in the Alliance’s substance abuse prevention activities and, in particular, has been instrumental in getting youth engaged in the Alliance and prevention activities.
In addition, she volunteers with a number of other community organizations and committees and brings enthusiasm and support to every meeting and activity she attends. She serves in the Jefferson Alliance alongside her daughter, Brittany.
