PHOTO: Members of DART (Developing Alcohol Responsibility Together), a community coalition aimed at reducing alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes among 18-25 year-olds in Brick, Lakewood and Toms River recently met at the Toms River Police Department, Oak Avenue, for a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) a presentation given by Toms River police officer Eugene Bachonski and Brick Township police officer Robert Westfall.

The presentation included an explanation of what an arresting officer looks for, and information about a sobriety test, among other information.

“The presentation was aimed at educating the community about the harmful effects of alcohol and the extreme danger it imposes when combined with driving,” said Mr. Robert Goldschlag, director of the DART Coalition, Barnabas Health Institute for Prevention. “We are grateful for the ongoing support of Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardi, and thank him and his Department for such a meaningful presentation.”

Yehuda Abraham, a member of the DART Coalition and the director of business development for Lakewood, said, “DART is an excellent coalition of individuals working hard to address alcohol and substance abuse by our youth. We are already making inroads into Lakewood and are looking to make a meaningful difference for all its residents.”              

DART, a program of Barnabas Health Institute for Prevention, develops environmental strategies to achieve its goal. The Coalition is made up of more than 60 Ocean County community leaders, including law enforcement and government officials, educators, business owners, substance abuse professionals, clergy, students and other youth.

Anyone interested in the demonstration for an organization, can contact Chief Mastronardi at the Toms River Police Department or [email protected]. TLS.