WARREN TWP. - The Watchung Hills Regional Municipal Alliance will host a free screening of "The Anonymous People" at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 3 at the Watchung Hills Regional High School Performing Arts Center.
"The Anonymous People" documentary is part of an initiative to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and substance abuse disorders. The event will also include a speaker and light refreshments free of charge.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the screening starting at 7 p.m., followed by an 8 p.m. Q&A session. The documentary's target audience is parents and high school students.
The film discusses the 23.5 million Americans in long-term recovery, and the emerging public health recovery movement that is transforming how alcohol and other drug problems are dealt with in communities.
"Mental illness and substance abuse affects everyone," the municipal alliance said in a statement. "Are you prepared for with it appears in your child, your family or in a friend’s family?"
The alliance's mission is to reduce alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse in Warren, Watchung, Long Hill and Green Brook. The group believes that residents can make a difference in children’s and teen's lives by reducing their abuse of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs.
The Watchung Hills Regional Municipal Alliance is a community partnership of volunteers, and is part of the New Jersey Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. The alliance identifies community needs and develops prevention programs to address those areas.
According to the municipal alliance, research has shown that community coalitions like the municipal alliance and Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) abuse prevention programs, when presented on a local level, are an effective approach to preventing substance abuse, underage drinking, juvenile delinquency, teen pregnancy and more.
The alliance provides funding for prevention programs in the elementary, middle and high schools, to adults and senior citizens, community intervention programs, and support to local police and parent-teacher organizations.