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New Daytop Prep Combats Latest Trends in Teen Substance Abuse: Heroin, Prescription Drugs Top List

MENDHAM, N.J., May 9 PRNewswire-USNewswire — State and local leaders today gathered at Daytop-New Jersey, the first school of its kind in the U.S. to address epidemic drug and alcohol use by suburban teens, to celebrate the opening of the new Rev. Joseph H. Hennen Preparatory School. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, NJ Deputy Commissioner of Health James W. Smith and Morris County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen C. Serafino joined in the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The school is a dream come true for Daytop-NJ's founder, and the new school's namesake, Rev. Joseph H. Hennen, who opened the facility in a former school on the 21-acre campus of the Sisters of St. John Baptist in 1992.

"Daytop Preparatory School is the first, and only, licensed private school for students with educational disabilities in New Jersey that also is committed to a long-term substance abuse treatment," said Rev. Joseph H. Hennen. "The first signs of trouble in substance-abusing kids most often are exhibited at school, when their grades begin to drop and they break rules that lead to disciplinary action. When we opened Daytop-NJ in 1992, typical drug and alcohol treatment programs included just two hours of instruction each day, hardly enough to allow these kids to stay on track with their secondary education."

In 2001, Daytop received a provisional license from the State of New Jersey to operate a private school for students with educational disabilities and work began to raise funds and design a school building that would meet State standards.

"This new facility, made possible by monetary and in-kind donations of materials, expertise and labor by a large group of dedicated supporters, allows us to expand our residential program and introduce a Day School program to address the needs of all our kids as we get them back on a path to success," Rev. Hennen said.

Working closely with the New Jersey Department of Education, Daytop NJ is now the nation's first and only fully-licensed co-educational school for students in need of treatment for substance abuse, providing a complete secondary academic program for 70 residential and, beginning this fall, 60 day students recovering from substance abuse. Daytop's academic day consists of five hours of formal education integrated with behavior management, support groups and consequential thinking for classified and non-classified youth.

The $8.5 million, 35,140 sq. ft. facility is a marked improvement over the cramped quarters of the old school and provides light and airy classrooms, office and meeting space, as well as living quarters for Daytop graduates who need support as they move out into the world.

The new Day School program will begin in September applying the Daytop model of integrating structured therapeutic techniques within the full school day for students who are classified emotionally and/or behaviorally disabled. Local Day School students will share teachers and counselors but will be separated from the residential population as the staff works to meet their unique needs for prevention and intervention.

Currently, Daytop-NJ operates four drug treatment centers and each year serves more than 350 clients, aged 13 to 19 years, from 21 counties in New Jersey in both residential and outpatient settings. Mendham is the only residential facility in New Jersey that treats substance-abusing young women as well as men.

SIDEBAR: ONE TEEN'S STORY

"Veronica V," an 18 year-old Brick, NJ resident is a bright, attractive and very articulate young woman, especially when it comes to describing the route that led her to Daytop. She'll tell you quite bluntly that she started drinking and smoking pot with friends, her grades began to drop and soon she was kicked out of her private school. Forced to enroll in the local public high school, she continued partying with friends and it continued to take its toll. Her grades were failing, she was getting into more trouble and, finally, a bout with the law led her family to seek help from the Daytop staff.

Today, Veronica feels that Daytop has given her a second chance at life. She's back on the right path, keeping her grades up and plans on graduating high school from Daytop in June. Her diploma will have her local high school on it, so there's no stigma attached. She brightens up and smiles broadly when she discusses her plans for the future. She's currently applying to colleges and later plans on joining the Peace Corps where she would like to be a nurse. She has it all mapped out, another step toward recovery and hope for the future.

About Daytop New Jersey

Daytop New Jersey opened its doors in 1992 offering a program tailored specifically to the needs of adolescents with substance abuse and resulting behavioral problems. Currently, Daytop operates four drug treatment centers and serves more than 350 clients, aged 13 to 19 years, each year from 21 counties in New Jersey in both residential and outpatient settings. Mendham is the only residential facility in New Jersey that treats substance-abusing young women as well as men.

SOURCE Daytop

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