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Prevention through Connection
Summer 2017
Protecting Our Health in an Opioid Epidemic
Working Together to Prevent Addiction & Tragedy  

Thanks to the dedication and hard work of many treatment and recovery groups (including our own sector members) and elected officials, New York State has legislation, policy and practices aimed to prevent and reduce harm associated with opioid addiction. There is much more work to do as teens across Long Island continue to overdose on opioids.  In addition, data shows more adults aged 25-54 are fatally wounded by this epidemic. Manhasset is not immune to its wrath. So what can you do?

In July, Senator Elaine Phillips and the New York State Senate Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction hosted a forum to discuss how communities across New York State can address and prevent the opioid epidemic. Speakers discussed that heroin addiction does not happen overnight and how it often begins with underage or adult substance misuse masking mental health issues. From experts in treatment to law enforcement to parents and young adults in recovery, the speakers' talking points contained a common thread: our communities need prevention and mental health education for children and adults. 

The Manhasset community has benefited from nine years of funding from the federal government under Manhasset CASA's Drug Free Communities Support Program Grant. The grant provided manpower, programming and capacity building to establish a coalition of community partners to help reduce youth substance abuse in the Manhasset community.  While our accomplishments include developing a vibrant coalition that has reduced past 30 day use of alcohol for 8th graders to its lowest norm of 2.2.% and a 22% reduction in binge drinking for 12th grade students, do we truly believe our work is done because funding is ending? Has the community learned enough to prevent addiction and its consequences?

Parents and residents are encouraged to engage and teach t(w)eens to refuse alcohol and other addictive substances as our children will benefit from refusal skills for the rest of their lives.  Our website provides multiple resources to navigate important prevention discussions with our kids, nieces, nephews, and friends who may need help understanding substance abuse and addiction. Our Facebook page also provides relevant articles and information regarding today's world when it comes to substance abuse and parenting.  Please help educate.
 
Whether you are a parent of older or younger children or simply a resident, please join our efforts to secure funding for CASA so we can continue prevention education. We invite you to attend our next sector meeting on Thursday, October 5th at 9:00 a.m. in the Community Room of Manhasset Public Schools' Central Administration Building.  You can also contact us to get involved, join our membership or attend a committee meeting.

The community needs your help. The opiate epidemic is not far from our homes - for some it's already here.  We hope you agree that the price of even one life is too high. We look forward to working with each and every one of you to help our children grow up healthy and live a full life.

Manhasset CASA Executive Board
Shed the Meds on Saturday, September 9th!
Drive Up & Drop Off at Shelter Rock School!
 
Join your neighbors and Shed the Meds on Saturday, September 9, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Shelter Rock Elementary School (27A Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset). The program is sponsored by Senator Elaine Phillips, Manhasset CASA and the Nassau County Police Department. 

Residents can drive up and drop off their old or unused medications! Please note that needles cannot be accepted.  All collected medication will be safely disposed of by officers from the Nassau County Police Department who will be supervising the program.

Safe disposal helps protect the environment and eliminates the risk of these drugs getting into the hands of small children or those who might misuse them. Improper disposal of medications, such as pouring them down the drain or flushing them down the toilet, can potentially pollute local waterways.
 
If you need more information about the "Shed the Meds" program, please call Senator Phillips' office at 516-746-5924 or click here for our flyer! 
Devices or Vices!
CASA & Rotary Partner for Rotary Speaks!  
 
SHOP vineyard vines September 14th 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Please Support Manhasset CASA!
 
Join CASA's fall shopping fundraiser at vineyard vines-Manhasset on Thursday, September 14th from 11:00 am to 2:00 p.m.

You will receive 10% off and CASA will receive 10% of all proceeds.  If you can not make it to the store please call the store at 869-3707 between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and mention that you would like to participate in CASA's fundraiser.

Please forward this email to anyone who may be interested in shopping! Thank you for your support!!
Helping Kids Make Smart Choices on the Internet 
Red Ribbon Week K-6 Parent Program at MP/SR SCA Joint Meeting

Join the SCA and learn more about internet safety on Wednesday, October 18th at the MP/SR Joint Parent Council Meetings at either 9:30 a.m. at Munsey Park School or 7:30 p.m. at Shelter Rock School.

Sharon Galvin, a retired police officer from the Nassau County Police Department will discuss how parents can protect their children from danger on the internet, cyberbullying and the consequences of inappropriate texting. Ms. Galvin will also present to 5th and 6th graders at both schools on October 19th and 20th!
Forgiving Kevin: Losing a Son to the Opioid Epidemic
Wednesday, October 25th 7:30 p.m. at Manhasset High School

A lacrosse, football, and wrestling coach who was inducted into the National High School Coaches Hall of Fame, Larry Glenz lost his son in 2010 to a heroin overdose. Now his passion is warning young people about the opiate crisis in our communities. We encourage parents, residents and teens (grades 7-12) to attend and learn about the struggles of addiction and how it affected the Glenz family.

Following the presentation, the Long Island Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence (LICADD) will address the opioid epidemic on Long Island and provide Naloxone Training. Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose, how opioids affect the body/mind/mood, the steps to respond to an overdose and how to adminster Naloxone. To be eligible for naloxone training, you must be Age 18 or older to receive a Naloxone kit.

Registration is required for both programs through our sign up genius link. Click here to register.

This program is sponsored by Manhasset CASA, Manhasset Rotary Club, Manhasset Public Schools, Manhasset SCA, LICADD, and the Seafield Center of Manhasset.  For more information, click here for our flyer.
TALK2PREVENT ...Yes in College Too! 
First Six Weeks are Critical
 
Although the majority of students come to college already having some experience with alcohol, certain aspects of college life, such as unstructured time, the widespread availability of alcohol, inconsistent enforcement of underage drinking laws, and limited interactions with parents and other adults, can intensify the problem.

The first 6 weeks of freshman year are a vulnerable time for heavy drinking and alcohol-related consequences because of student expectations and social pressures at the start of the academic year.  An often-overlooked protective factor involves the continuing influence of parents. Research shows that students who abstain from drinking often do so because their parents discussed alcohol use and its adverse consequences with them ( New York State Office on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services).

During these crucial early weeks, parents can do a number of things to stay involved.

Parents can help by:
  • Talking with students about the dangers of harmful and underage college drinking, such as the penalties for underage drinking, and how alcohol use can lead to date rape, violence, and academic failure
  • Reaching out periodically and keeping the lines of communication open, while staying alert for possible alcohol-related problems
  • Reminding students to feel free to reach out to them to share information about their daily activities, and to ask for help if needed
  • Learning about the school's alcohol prevention and emergency intervention efforts and
  • Making sure students know signs of alcohol overdose or an alcohol-related problem, and how to help.
For more information regarding conversations with your young adult or why you should be concerned about underage drinking, click here for the facts about underage drinking in college and additional parent tools from the Talk2Prevent campaign. 
Free Family Counseling Session & Education at Seafield
Open to all Residents  

Seafield Center of Manhasset offers a free 30 minute consultation and a monthly Family Education Series for residents who are impacted by addiction. The free family program provides information regarding various aspects of addiction, treatment, therapy and codependency and enabling behaviors. Click here for flyer and program dates .

For more information, contact Merrit Hartblay, MSW, CASAC at mhartblay@Seafieldcenter.com or (516) 812-9944.  The Seafield Center is located at 585 Plandome Road, Manhasset.
Manhasset Community 
Coalition Against Substance Abuse (CASA), Inc. 
P.O. Box 392
Manhasset, NY 11030
(516) 267-7548
  
Manhasset CASA exists as a resource to reduce the illegal, underage use of alcohol, tobacco, & other drugs among its youth, before they are in trouble, by connecting parents, schools and the community as partners in the common goal.  In 2013, CASA was honored to receive its second five year Drug Free Communities Support Grant (DFC) by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).  Our goals are to reduce substance abuse among youth and, over time, among adults; and to establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, private nonprofit agencies, and federal, state, and local governments to support the efforts of our community coalition to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth.