PHOTOS: Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato was in Lakewood yesterday to discuss his relentless war on drugs, and what can be done to prevent the epidemic from spreading further.

Coronato focused on a power-point presentation which showed the stats of the deaths by municipality, the different types of drugs the dealers are bringing in, the causes of death by drug/substance, and more.

The Prosecutor, who has already made his mark nationwide because of his relentlessness and aggressiveness when it comes to the lives of the youths in the County, said he traveled to other states to advance his education of the various drugs’ origins, and other information which is helping his team fight the war.

While directing much of his resources to the fight to bring the leaders at the top of the line down by leveraging himself with the ‘small’ dealers, his efforts have also been directed at preventing deaths by introducing the Narcan antidote to County police officers.

The antidote, which comes in a nasal spray form, equips officers – general the first to arrive at the scene – with lifesaving tool to bring overdose patients back from the brink of death.

The Prosecutor also discussed his efforts in targeting schools – where many of the problems begin.

As was recently done at the Lakewood High School, the Prosecutor finds that making unannounced sweeps in County schools gives his office the opportunity to address drug issues with parents and educators, hoping to nip the issue in the bud at a younger age.

A recently released video by the Prosecutor’s Office produced with teen actors was also shown at the event, and will be shown to educators and schools around the County in hopes of helping teens understand the dangers and risks involved in the world of drug dealing and usage.

The event, which took place at the Municipal building, was arranged by the Lakewood Clergy Association, and attended by Chief Lawson, Committeeman Lichtenstein, a representative from DART, and other community leaders. [TLS]