Hudson County Executive Robert Janiszewski paid a visit to North Bergen High School last Tuesday to applaud the efforts of the school's different programs that have been instituted to teach the students about the ills of alcohol and drug use. Because of North Bergen's extensive and expansive program, which covers not only the high school but includes all of the township's six elementary schools as well, the state has been able to give grants to the Board of Education in order to keep the programs in operation. Janiszewski presented a check of $53,000 that will be used for the 10 different programs that are in operation. In turn, the township of North Bergen matches the state grant, so that there will be $106,000 available for the programs next year. And that was great news for John Belluardo, who is the school's substance abuse supervisor and the coordinator of the Student Assistance Resistance Program (STARP). "It's nice to be recognized for the hard work we do," Belluardo said. "It takes a lot of time and effort to be able to offer all the programs that we offer." North Bergen has been offering a series of programs that are designed to help students of all ages with a variety of troubles - not just drug and alcohol abuse. For example, there is a Conflict Resolution group, where students sit down and discuss problems and design ways to avoid all conflicts and violence. There is also the TIPS program, Teen Initiative Prevention in Sports, which enables youngsters to use the school gyms two nights a week. The TIPS program also has guest speakers who talk to the youngsters about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, as well as other health issues, such as the use of steroids or the proper way to participate in physical fitness. There is also the At-Risk Tutorial program, where elementary school students who are having difficulties in the classroom get to receive tutoring from some of the high school's best students from the Peer Leadership group. "The students are actually hired as tutors for the elementary school students and receive a stipend," Belluardo said. "It's cost-free to the parents, because the cost for tutoring can get pretty high. This way, we're finding jobs for our better high school students." The At-Risk program runs from October through June. Of course, there is the standard DARE (Drug and Alcohol Resistance through Education) program, which educates all students, especially the younger ones, about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. "We use our high school students as role models for the DARE program," Belluardo said. "They go to the elementary schools and talk to the kids." Project Graduation, which enables graduating seniors a chance to enjoy their final night of high school together without the use of drugs and alcohol, is also a part of that program. There is also the Rainbows program, which helps elementary school children deal with the loss of a loved one. "And it doesn't have to be a human," Belluardo said. "Although it's usually geared toward the loss of a family member, it could very well be a pet, a toy, something that the child holds dear. It can be an emotional time for the youngster." There is also a Young Adults Counseling Group as well, where students receive and give counseling on an assortment of issues. Belluardo is also proud of the SAFE-SPOT program, which gets the local businesses and the community involved as well. A business is designated as a "safe spot," where youngsters can go if they fear danger or they are being harassed. The business displays a sign, designating it as a safe spot, that the youngsters can go to and call the police. "It's a big-time effort and a time consuming effort," Belluardo said. "The community, the students, the businesses, the Board of Education. Everyone getting together with one goal in mind. And that's how it works." Janiszewski was impressed with how well the North Bergen programs run and that was the purpose of his appearance at the school. "Hudson County is serious about combating substance abuse, especially in our children," Janiszewski said. "The programs established in North Bergen - from SAFE-SPOT to the mentor program between high school and grammar school students - are just a sampling of the programs offered throughout the county. From our schools to our community centers to our hospitals, the county and our municipalities are working hand in hand to combat substance abuse, and I commend Mayor [Nicholas] Sacco for putting together such a successful program in North Bergen."