Every so often, I go up to Eagle Rock Park to look at the Memorial Wall, and read the names of those who were killed in the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. As I read the list, I try to think back on what I was doing that morning. It was 9:15 AM or there about; I was teaching a class in Christian Ethics at a college in Massachusetts. In the midst of the class a student who usually came to class late rushed in and said, “Dr. Kennedy you can mark me late if you want, I don’t care. I am late because two planes have just struck the Twin Towers in New York. Everything seems to be in confusion. Turn on the Television, if you don’t believe me.” I quickly took out the video I was about to show the class and turned on the TV and there it was, fires burning. After catching a breath, one student reported that his mother works in one of the Towers. Another said her cousin was there. I quickly dismissed the class and ran across the Campus to the president’s office to give my advice that he was to prepare for a special chapel and do so urgently. He immediately stopped what he was doing and as talked a little about the tragedy, students began to bring reports that their parents, relatives and friends were supposed to be at work in the Towers. The rest of the day was as it was in many places; shock, ambivalence, despair, vulnerability, helplessness, anger, and rage, all of those feelings that come with tragedy.

Newark's children deserve a leader whose consistent effort builds momentum over time. It will take much more than charisma, lofty language, and headline making proclamations. It's going to take discipline, hard work, and a commitment to building a high functioning, highly effective management team skilled in putting great ideas into practice.

Newark does not lack for vision. The school district needs someone who can implement and execute the vision.

Giving the enormous challenges that urban schools face in general, and the specific and immediate challenges in Newark, it would be hard to imagine doing again what has already proven to be ineffective. Change of the order of magnitude required calls for a combination of moral courage, persistence over time, understanding how to manage complex systems, the capacity to clearly communicate and hold everyone connected to the education of children accountable for goals, outcomes, and deliverables. In other words, Newark needs an effective executive.

First we heard about the skyrocketing use of "K-2" – a synthetic marijuana that is being marketed at local smoke shops as incense and sold to anyone with a few bucks. Then, there was Four Loko – a $3 can of booze with the equivalent potency of three beers, an energy drink and a shot of espresso.

Now, I am concerned to see the rise of yet another unregulated hallucinogen that has been gaining popularity among recreational drug users, including several clients now in treatment at Sunrise Detox in Stirling.

The substance, known as salvia or by the street names Ska Pastora, Magic Mint, Shepherdess's Herb and Sally-D, has been known to carry some of the most negative effects of another hallucinogen, LSD. Salvia is derived from a plant native to Mexico and contains an extremely powerful psychoactive component that was used centuries ago by shamans in religious ceremonies. It is known to cause loss of self, uncontrollable laughter and calmness. Clients at Sunrise have also described a darker side to the substance that includes paranoia, uncontrollable movements and bizarre and frightening hallucinations.

More alarming is the fact that this synthetic drug – marketed as incense – comes with some dangerous side effects. At Sunrise Detox in Stirling, we have tracked nearly a dozen states that are considering a ban on this alleged incense, commonly referred to as "K2" – a concoction of chemicals that turn herbs into synthetic marijuana.

K2, also known as "Spice," "Mr. Smiley," "Genie," and "Zohai," is widely available in New Jersey "head shops," convenience stores and online. Most of it is shipped to the Garden State from Korea and China, where workers spray herbs and spices with a synthetic compound similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

Teens in New Jersey – or anyone else for that matter – just need to roll it up in joints or inhale it from pipes. It even comes in fruit flavors for those who don't like the taste of pot, or maybe don't know the difference. Either way, chemicals trick the brain into thinking the body is ingesting authentic cannabis.