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!
Staying Safe This Holiday Season!
The holiday season is a wonderful time to connect with family, friends and neighbors.

Although this holiday season may look different than previous years, here's some tips to keep in mind if you host of holiday gathering:
  • Offer a variety of nonalcoholic drinks—water, juices, sparkling sodas. Nonalcoholic drinks help counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Also, the other fluids may slow the rate of alcohol absorption into the body and reduce the peak alcohol concentration in the blood. They also provide your guests with alternatives to alcohol;
  • Provide a variety of healthy foods and snacks. Food can slow the absorption of alcohol and reduce the peak level of alcohol in the body by about one-third. Food can also minimize stomach irritation and gastrointestinal distress the following day;
  • Help your guests get home safely—use designated drivers and taxis. Anyone getting behind the wheel of a car should not have ingested any alcohol; and
  • If you are a parent, the holiday vacation break is a great time to talk with our kids about how underage drinking (and drug use) is unhealthy, unsafe and illegal. It's also a great time to set a good example as our children are watching us.
Underage Drinking Snowballs During December
First time use of alcohol by 12 to 17 year olds spikes in June, July and December. On an average day in December, approximately 11,500 12-17 year olds drink alcohol for the first time compared to 5,000 to 8,000 new alcohol users during other months.

In the Massapequas, most kids have their first drink of alcohol before the age of 14.
Be Their Guide. Don't Provide.

Show you disapprove of underage drinking:
• Over 80% of young people ages 10–18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink. Send clear and strong messages that you disapprove of underage drinking and drug use.

Show you care about their health and safety:
• Reinforce why you don’t want your child to drink or use other drugs—because you want your child to be healthy and safe. Remain open and show your concern.

Teach them the law and build their refusal skills
• Teach your child that underage drinking is against the law. Work with them to develop an exit plan or a way to handle the situation. Plan to have them text a code word to a family member and practice saying NO.
More Massapequa Businesses Support Alcohol and Teens Don't Mix
Massapequa High School's Chief's Challenge members
made outreach to local businesses to gain support for
Phil's 2 Pizzeria & Restaurant
Positive Youth Alternatives
Massapequa Public Library

The Massapequa Public Library continues to provide a variety of virtual youth programming (and adult!) to engage our teens and tweens. To learn more about virtual programs resources go to their website at: massapequalibrary.org
Teen Polar Bear Drawing
Wednesday, 1/13 at 7:00 PM
Create a fun picture of a polar bear family. Teens (grades 6-12)will need an 8.5" x 11" sheet of copy paper, a pencil, and color pencils and/or markers to participate. 
Please register at: 
Teen Yoga
Tuesday, 1/26 at 7:00 PM
Teens (grades 6-12) will go through a guided yoga session with a professional instructor. No prior yoga experience or equipment necessary. 
Please register at: 
Coping with Covid-19 During the Holidays
Tips for managing stress during the pandemic and holidays:

  • Take time away from media reports to focus on things in your life that are going well and that you can control.
  • Talk to family and friends. You can still stay connected while social distancing.
  • Pay attention to your body. Recognize the early warning signs of stress, and take time to renew your spirit by utilizing coping skills such as meditation, reading, listening to music and practicing deep breathing exercises.
Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
This holiday season, MTAC is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the national Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving drunk-driving-awareness campaign to help keep impaired drivers off the road.

Celebrate with a Plan
Always remember to plan ahead if you will be celebrating. If you plan to drink, plan for a sober driver to take you home.
  • Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
  • If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact 911.
  • Do you have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.
MTAC January General Meeting
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.