April 23, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Midland Park District to present program about dangers of heroin Heroin use and deaths are on the rise. This year alone, there have been more than 10 deaths from heroin over- doses in Bergen County, including youths from Ramsey, Franklin Lakes, and Allendale. In an effort to address this critical issue, the Midland Park School District has invited the Bergen County Drug Task Force and Prosecutor’s Office to present a program about heroin on Wednesday, April 30. The program will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Midland Park High School, 250 Prospect Street in Midland Park. Borough residents and members from surrounding communities are welcome and are asked to RSVP to mphspta@gmail.com. Today’s heroin is easy to purchase, since today’s deal- ers deliver,and one dose can cost as little as $5. Heroin is easy to use: Since the drug is so pure, most users start with snorting. It is also easy to conceal, since there is no smell, no paraphernalia needed, and no erratic behavior at first. Heroin leads to easy addiction. It only takes a few tries for a user to become seriously addicted. The drug is also easy to die from, since heroin has never been so pure and so lethal. Midland Park High School Principal Nick Capuano said that Mary Keeney from the PTA and Substance Abuse Coordinator Craig Rush had helped to coordinate this program. “Other districts are also presenting programs, but all are approaching the issue differently. We are targeting parents, but students are welcome,” Capuano said. “The Teachers and staff to be recognized The Midland Park Public Education Foundation is plan- ning its Teacher and Staff Appreciation fundraiser. The campaign raises funds for the foundation while recogniz- ing a teacher or district staff member for a job well done. To participate, visit www.mppef.org and use the Teacher Appreciation secure online contribution form to send a note describing the special qualities of a teacher or staff member, and a tax-deductible donation of at least $10 per entry to the Midland Park Public Education Foundation. A letter will be sent to the honoree sharing the note of appreciation. The school’s principal and district superin- tendent will also be notified. The MPPEF campaign runs throughout the year. Dona- tions benefit teacher-generated classroom and district- wide grants. The Midland Park Public Education Foundation is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization that enhances and supports new curriculum initiatives and enrichment opportunities within Midland Park’s public school system. For more information, visit www.mppef.org. towns are working together so there will be no duplica- tion.” The principal acknowledged that most communities in the county have issues with drugs, adding, “The towns need to work together to help the kids.” Capuano said that, while there are no known cases in Midland Park, the district is taking proactive measures. “We decided not to lose someone from Midland Park,” he said, adding, “Education is one way to attack it.” Midland Park Board of Education President William Sullivan said, “Hopefully, it will be a great presentation. I have not heard of any horror stories in this town, but there have been incidents in other towns, and to think we would be immune to that would be hiding our heads in the sand. It can affect anyone.”