A large assembly of school, government and public safety officials gathered on the side of the 34th Street causeway at noon Monday for the unveiling of a billboard.
The sign is a centerpiece of a new “Did You Know” anti-substance abuse campaign.
“Did you know? 90% of drug and alcohol abusers started in their teens,” the billboard reads. It directs people to a new website — didyouknowoc.com — designed to raise awareness of the risks of tobacco, alcohol and drug use by students.
“Sometimes the best time for parents to have a conversation with their kids is in the car, because they have a captive audience,” Ocean City School Superintendent Kathleen Taylor told the Board of Eduction last week of the idea behind the billboard.
Taylor credited Ocean City Education Foundation member Joe Ney and Foundation President Dave Allegretto with launching an initiative that came to involve the entire community and a handful of neighboring communities.
Ney had seen the documentary “Unguarded” about a talented young NBA player, Chris Herren, who lost his career and nearly his life to drug addiction and who became committed to helping young people avoid the same fate.
“You have to watch this show, and we have to get him (Herren) to come to Ocean City,” Ney told Allegretto a couple years ago.
That set in motion the collaborative effort to bring Herren to town two different times for school and community presentations. And it led to the continuing “Did You Know” campaign.
Allegretto read a letter from Herren congratulating Ocean City on the new effort.
“Addiction can start with a red Solo cup on a Friday or Saturday night,” Herren said.
Monday’s billboard unveiling included remarks from the mayors Sea Isle City, Upper Township, Longport and Ocean City (Business Administrator Mike Dattilo speaking on behalf of Jay Gillian, who was traveling), Freeholder Kris Gabor and Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd).
Longport Mayor Nicholas Russo, who has spent his adult career in law enforcement, summed up the themes of the campaign: education and awareness.
“By the time it gets to be a law enforcement problem, it’s too late,” Russo said.
The “Did You Know” campaign will feature the 34th street billboard supported by flyers, educational sessions, student contests and community education. Different businesses and community organizations have donated money to sponsor the billboard each month.
The Ocean City Community Team is comprised of representatives from the following organizations: the Ocean City School District, the Ocean City School Board, the Ocean City Education Foundation, the Upper Township School Board, the Sea Isle City School Board, the City of Ocean City, Ocean City Council, Upper Township Committee, Ocean City PTA, Ocean City Police Department, Ocean City Fire Department, Ocean City-Upper Township Municipal Alliance Committee, Cape May Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Inc. dba Cape Assist, Atlantic Prevention Resources and concerned parents.
“Now the work begins,” Allegretto said.
