Working across Nassau County

to prevent and reduce

underage drinking & youth substance use

Learn more at pactyes.org

SPRING 2022 E-newsletter

When it comes to our health, nearly half of all cancer deaths in the United States are attributable to modifiable risk factors, such as environmental conditions and/or life choices, including alcohol consumption. According to the American Cancer Society, alcohol increases the risk for developing seven types of cancer: mouth, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), esophagus, liver, colon/rectum, and female breast cancer. The more you drink, the higher your risk of cancer.

The good news is that states with strong alcohol policy safeguards tend to have fewer alcohol-related cancer deaths, among other negative outcomes, according the National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Safeguards like limited hours and days of sales, increases in price, and government control over the sale of alcohol - all have positive and protective results for the larger community.

The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities across our country and Long Island, and college students have not been spared. One in seven college students have misused a prescription drug during the past year (SAMHSA). These high rates of opioid use among college-aged youth have led to rising death rates, and in 2018, more than 3,600 Americans under 25 died from a fatal overdose.[1]

Health experts from the CDC have documented that more than half of those who misuse prescription opioids engage in binge drinking.[2]

With almost 55% of college students ages 18-22 reporting drinking alcohol in the past month and one third of them engaging in binge drinking.

Mixing alcohol and opioids is a serious health concern among college students.[3]

The New York Office of Cannabis Management has established the new Cannabis Conversations webpage to help New Yorkers understand the facts on the Cannabis Law, important health and safety information, and the economics of the new law.

As we move away from what is now referred to as prohibition to adult recreational use, parents, teens and community residents should stay informed on the aspects of the new law and its implications to our children's health, our communities' safety (driving impaired on cannabis) and quality of life (public use of cannabis). Click here for the NYS OCM's new public service announcement.

YES Community Counseling Center PACT Initiative

152 Center Lane

Levittown, NY 11756

pact@yesccc.org

516-799-3203 EXT:131

pactyes.org

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YES Community Counseling Center's PACT initiative seeks to prevent and reduce youth (ages 9-20) underage drinking and substance use. Working with our partners, we develop strategies to change the environment by which youth substance use exists. Funding for this website was made possible by Grant 5H79SP081365 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The information expressed on this website does not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of the trade names, commercial practices or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.