The Dunellen Municipal Alliance (DMA) is looking for members to join its growing committee.
The Dunellen Municipal Alliance is a community-based volunteer organization representing families, schools and businesses, along with faith-based and nonprofit organizations in Dunellen. Working together, members implement and follow a strategic prevention plan intended to decrease misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, especially as they relate to town’s youth.
The Dunellen Borough Council passed a resolution in January 2016 to recognize DMA as an authorized agency of the municipality. Since DMA was created, the members have been working hard to provide educational opportunities for youth, parents, and community members. These include awareness campaigns like the Middlesex County “Be Smart about Medicine” Creative Expressions for students at Lincoln Middle School, town hall meetings addressing issues related to underage drinking, and responsible beverage service programs such as TIPS Training for local liquor establishment owners and employees and the Sticker Shock Project with local youth to raise awareness about purchasing and selling alcohol to minors.
DMA has worked with the Dunellen Police Department and Borough Council to revise the existing Private Property Ordinance and announced it to the community at its Spring 2017 town hall. In addition, free Narcan Training and a Bilingual Drug Trend workshop were offered to the community with much success.
DMA also hosts First Saturday Teen Nights, held at the Dunellen Senior Center and Dunellen Public Library with themes including live action video game night to holiday crafts. Funding and in-kind donations from local businesses and organizations enabled this to continue throughout the year.
Dunellen residents interested in joining the DMA can attend the next meeting March 27, 2018 at 7 p.m. at the Community Bible Church (201 Whittier Avenue). Other planned meetings are on May 22, July 24, September 25 and November 27. For more information, contact Diana Starace, Chair or Terri Albertson, Coordinator at dunellenma@gmail.com.