Welcome to Massapequa Takes Action Coalition's e-newsletter designed to connect parents and residents to MTAC's initiatives, programs and news! Please join our coalition , visit our website or like us on Facebook page to learn more about how to be a part of the solution to prevent substance misuse!
Congratulations Seniors! Celebrate Safely!
MTAC commends Massapequas' 2020 graduates for their hard work and outstanding dedication to our community! We look forward to hearing more about your new journey and accomplishments.

Before high school seniors begin their parties, MTAC reminds parents to take the time to talk with their graduates about keeping events alcohol-free—it just may save a life. No amount of underage drinking is legal or safe.
Research shows that parents do make a difference. By serving as a positive role model, talking with other parents and your teens, supervising parties to make sure no alcohol is served, and supporting alcohol-free school celebrations, we can all help to prevent a life-changing mistake.
Fatal Overdoses Up in Nassau County
While COVID-19 has had tragic impact in the Massapequas, many families continue to lose their loved ones to the opioid epidemic. "In Nassau County, fatal overdoses have jumped at least 50% year to date from the 36 recorded during the same time period in 2019, said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder" ( Newsday, 5/31/20 ).
Nearly 80 percent of heroin users reported using prescription opioids prior to heroin ( National Institute on Drug Abuse ). According to the Centers for Disease Control , a nyone who takes prescription opioids can become addicted to them. In fact, as many as one in four patients receiving long-term opioid therapy in a primary care setting struggles with opioid addiction.

What can we do to prevent prescription drug misuse and abuse? Educate yourself, your family, and friends by attending a YES/MTAC Virtual Naloxone Training (see below). Safeguard prescription medications when they are brought into the home. Safely store your medications to prevent accidental exposure or to keep drugs from falling into the hands of those seeking to abuse them. Properly dispose of prescription drugs when outdated or no longer needed. If you suspect any friends or family members have a prescription drug abuse problem, have them seek immediate professional assistance. We also encourage parents/residents to g et involved with MTAC or take our Community Survey (learn more below).
Local Support for Treatment & Counseling
YES Community Counseling Center , Massapequas' local treatment and counseling agency, has been open during COVID 19. If you or a loved one is struggling with challenges of addiction as well as anxiety, depression, or family issues, YES offers virtual counseling to children, teens, and adults. Call (516)799-3203 to schedule a virtual appointment. 
You can also contact the Nassau Alliance for Addiction Services (NAFAS) , a not-for-profit coalition of 26 community-based agencies across Nassau County, Long Island. If you have medical or other concerns related to the COVID 19 virus, call the Nassau County Department of Health at 516-227-9570.
Virtual Naloxone Training Available
Click here to Register
FREE Rx Drug Disposal Kits at
Arlo Drugs & Stuart's Pharmacy
Prevent Rx Drug Misuse
Local Massapequa pharmacies, Arlo Drug Store and Stuart’s Pharmacy, have partnered with MTAC to distribute FREE home prescription drug disposal kits to prevent prescription drug misuse across the Massapequas. Quite frequently our youth and young adults can merely open the medicine cabinet and there before them is a variety of drugs available for the taking: pain pills for post-surgery, sleeping pills from an overseas airplane trip, or cough medicine from last season’s flu. 
To receive a free home Rx Disposal Kit, visit Arlo Drug Store, 1022 Park Boulevard in Massapequa Park or Stuart’s Pharmacy, 681 Broadway in Massapequa. Kits were donated by the New York Office on Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS); Dispose Rx were awarded to MTAC from the Amerisource Bergen Foundation. For more information regarding MTAC’s prevention initiatives or to be part of the solution to preventing youth substance misuse, go to mtacoalition.com or call 516-799-3203 x131.
YES - Prevention Matters!
NEXT MTAC GENERAL MEETING
MTAC's Next General Meeting will be Tuesday, June 16th at 7:30 p.m. via ZOOM video conferencing. To participate, please email Cathy Samuels at info@mtacoalition.com to receive MTAC's ZOOM video conference link. For security purposes, video participation is required. Click here for our flyer .
Take 5 and Let Us Know What You Think?
Please take five minutes to complete our community survey ! The survey is part of a regional collaboration with YES Community Counseling Center’s PACT Project ( Partnering in Action and Change for Tomorrow ) to prevent underage drinking and substance misuse in our region. PACT also collaborates with Farmingdale ADAPT (Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team) and the Levittown Community Action Coalition (LCAC) to prevent underage drinking and substance misuse in our communities.
Working together, we seek to understand patterns of substance misuse to better address this challenge through targeted prevention, education and outreach. Take the survey now !
Massapequa Public Library's
Positive Youth Alternatives
Even though Massapequas' library buildings are closed, the Massapequa Public Library continues to provide a variety of virtual y outh programming (and adult!) to engage our teens and tweens during the NYS PAUSE Directive. To learn more about virtual programs resources go to their website at massapequalibrary.org
Teen Rock Painting
Teens (Grades 6-12) are invited to find rocks from their garden and decorate them on Friday, June 12, 2020 at 4:00 p.m . Teens will need at least one rock, paint & a brush and/or sharpies or other markers. To register, click here . Please be sure to enter your email address correctly so the MPL can email the Zoom link prior to the program. If multiple teens are participating on one device, you only need to register one time.*
Big Burger Drawing!
Make an expandable burger card for fun or for Father's Day! Teens (Grades 6-12) will need an 8.5" x 11" white paper, pencil, scissors, color pencils, or markers to participate. To register, click here and be sure to enter your email address correctly so the MPL can email you the Zoom link prior to the program. If multiple teens are participating on one device, you only need to register one time.*
About MTAC
The mission of Massapequa Takes Action Coalition is to prevent and reduce substance misuse and high-risk behaviors in the Massapequas. Since 1997, we have been collaborating with Massapequa Public Schools, parents, residents, law enforcement, clergy, private and non-profit agencies, businesses, and federal, state and local governments to enhance our efforts.  This e-newsletter was developed under grant number 1H79SPO80744-02 from the ONDCP and SAMHSA . The views, opinions, and content of this publication are those of the authors and contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of the ONDCP, SAMHSA or HHS.