TRENTON - Matawan-Aberdeen's KEYS Academy, and Raymond Lesniak ESH Recovery High School in Union County, receive new curriculum resources and divide $2,600,000 aimed at boosting enrollment in drug-recovery programs, under a grant announced today by Governor Chris Christie.

Governor Chris Christie holds a roundtable discussion with parents of recovering addicts at the Manasquan Recreation Center in Manasquan, NJ.
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The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) Recovery High School Planning Project grant also includes another $100,000, to enable South Jersey's Middle Township School District to set the groundwork for a recovery high school in the southernmost part of the state.

Governor Chris Christie announced the grant, which is tied to his anti-opioid campaign to create, or strengthen, opportunities for addiction prevention, treatment and recovery.

"We continue to make key investments in prevention efforts in order to help save innocent young lives from the disease of addiction before it starts," the Governor said in prepared remarks. "It is a top priority to ensure our children learn about the consequences of addiction, and make crucial supports available to those in need of treatment."

The curriculum aids were developed through a committee of state education staffers, school personnel, parents, law enforcement and professional agencies, mental health and behavioral experts, and county and state agencies, under the aegis of Education Commissioner Kimberley Harrington.

The panel identified curriculum resources, programs and practices to support anti-opiate portions of the K-12 New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The resources can be reviewd on the NJDOE web page.

Harrington pointed out that the resources support the role of New Jersey schools in developing not only academic achievement, but also social and emotional skills for healthy lifestyle choices.

By providing schools with these opioid curriculum resources and expanding the educational opportunities for students battling substance abuse, New Jersey children will know more about the health risks associated with opioid use, persevere through recovery, and be empowered to seek help for themselves or others," Harrington said.

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