Governor's Council on Substance Use Disorder

Volunteer of the Year Awards

Each year the Council recognizes Volunteers of the Year for exemplary service to the State's Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Program. The grassroots network of Alliances and its volunteers are more critical than ever in helping to communicate and execute the systems necessary to evoke environmental change in communities across New Jersey.

Their voice, energy, and commitment are powerful and necessary as we undertake the critical work of the Council and continue to demonstrate that "It Doesn't Get More Local", as reflected in our statewide Municipal Alliance logo.

2024 Volunteer of the Year Awards

2024 W. Cary Edwards Statewide Volunteer of the Year
Samantha Lugo
North Bergen Township Municipal Alliance
Hudson County

Samantha Lugo has been a member of the North Bergen Township Municipal Alliance for over five years. The community is also a recipient of a federal Drug Free Communities Grant. Samantha has been a Guidance Counselor in the North Bergen School System for 20 years, and through her efforts, there has been an explosion of youth volunteerism with the North Bergen Township Municipal Alliance. She is the Moderator of the township’s Youth Task Force, and coordinates the student volunteers in the township’s Safe Spot Program.

Through the North Bergen Tobacco Age of Sale Enforcement (T.A.S.E.) program, Samantha was able to show elected officials that local merchants were selling tobacco and vaping products to youth. Through her efforts, she participated in the development of a stand-alone North Bergen Tobacco license that will go into effect in 2025 which will allow the local health department to monitor and oversee all tobacco sales in the community. This project has already reduced the level of sales to youth.

Samantha Lugo’s unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of the North Bergen community makes her a deserving recipient of the 2024 W. Cary Edwards Statewide Volunteer of the Year Award.