In the latest episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we welcome special guest, Officer Kevin Azevedo. He's a ten year veteran of the Allendale Police Department, serves as the Lead Officer in the Allendale School District as well as at Northern Highlands, and has helped organize the Not Even Once Program. Officer Azevedo shares the impact this program has had, and how teens within the community have benefited from it. We also discuss the negative spiral of crime that substance abuse...

In this episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we welcome back special guest, Dr. Jen Altman. She's a local clinician, a parent, a proud member of the USRA Coalition, and she joins us in this episode to discuss going back to normal post-pandemic, and her praise of the Highlands Wellness Program.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health issues, there are resources to help. Visit our website for more information: https://usracoalition.orgUSRA Coalition’s...

In this episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we have a special guest, Gail Cole, who discuses her pursuant drive in drug awareness and prevention. Gail also provides us a glimpse into what the struggle is like with an addict in the household, how to help others with awareness, and the tragic loss of her 22 year old son.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health issues, there are resources to help. Visit our website for more information: https://usraco...

In this episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we have a special guest, Allison Rocca.Allison is a licensed clinical social worker and is a member of the newly founded Northern Highlands Wellness Department. She helps assist students struggling with mental health related challenges and assures that all students are receiving any sort of help they may need. In this episode, Allison shares with us how she better assists students who are dealing with mental health challenges, and ...

In this episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we have a special guest, Joe Occhino, Principal at Northern Highlands Regional High School. Joe Occhino has been the School Principal at Northern Highlands for the past 13 years and has spent almost 40 years working in the education field. Mike Koth and Joe Occhino discuss Northern Highland's Wellness Initiative.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health issues, there are resources to help. Visit our websit...

In this episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we have a special guest, Jon Shaw.Jon is a recovering addict who grew up in Suffern, NJ. He started experimenting with drugs and alcohol at a young age. It was all about having fun for a while, but then they became something just to numb the pain.In this episode Jon shares how to tell if you’re drinking or using could be a real problem and how to identify some red flags that someone could be suffering from addiction.If you or someone yo...

In this episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we have a special guest, Dr. Jolene Arasz.Dr. Arasz has been a practicing clinical psychologist for the past 20 years. She has been working with adolescents, adults, families, and in school settings. She offers therapeutic services, acts as a public speaker, and is the author of new book, Why On Earth Do I Feel This Way?In this episode, Dr. Arasz shares with us how better understand anxiety and offers solutions to help us cope.If you or...

In this episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we have a special guest, Anthony Pulizzano.Anthony has been a police officer for 18 years, and in the last 16 years, he’s been protecting and serving the town of Upper Saddle River. He’s served as a PBA State Delegate, on the Bergen County Crisis Intervention Team, and as a DARE Officer in the Upper Saddle River Schools.In this episode, Anthiny joins Michael Koth to share his insights. This includes what he’s been working on in the DARE...

In this episode of USRA Coalition's Let's Talk About It, we have a special guest, Melissa Reifman.Melissa is a student of Northern Highlands Regional High School, member of the National Honor Society, co-editor and chief of the school newspaper, and a member of Senior Class Council. She’s also a student activist in the community, drumming up awareness for the opioid crisis and anti-bullying efforts.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health issues, there are reso...

In this episode of USRA Coalition's Let's Talk About It, we have a special guest, Dr. Jenn Altman.Dr. Jenn Altman has been both a school psychologist and clinical psychologist for the past 20 years. She also has her own private practice right here in Ho-Ho-Kus. She works closely with schools, college advisors, and other specialists.With everything that's going on in the world right now, we discuss how it's been affecting adolescents in our community.If you or someone you know is struggling wi...