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!
Kids and Weed Don't Roll Together
Massapequa Takes Action Coalition (MTAC) continues its new prevention campaign, Kids and Weed Don’t Roll Together, which outlines unique and informative facts and education to help parents talk with their kids about how marijuana use affects their brain, health and safety.

Compared with teens who don’t use, students who use marijuana are more likely not to finish high school or get a college degree (SAMHSA). THC, the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects, affects cells throughout the brain, including cells in circuits related to learning and memory, coordination, and addiction (SAMHSA).

Since recreational marijuana was legalized in Colorado, traffic deaths involving drivers who tested positive for marijuana more than doubled from 55 in 2013 to 129 people killed in 2019. This equates to one person killed every 3 1/2 days in 2019 compared to one person killed every 6 1/2 days in 2013 (The Legalization Of Marijuana In Colorado: The Impact-Volume 7 September 2020 Rocky Mountain High Intensity). Ten percent of Massapequa's 11th and 12th graders, who drove in the past 30 days, reported driving a vehicle after using marijuana (2018 YDS Survey).

To learn more about the dangers of youth marijuana use, go to mtacoalition.com or like/follow Massapequa Takes Action Coalition on Facebook.
MTAC General Coalition Meeting
Keep the Preserve Pristine 
Join MTAC on Saturday, August 28th for a clean up event at the Massapequa Preserve.
Alcohol and Teens Don't Mix
Parents Can Still Make A Difference
For our young adults who will attend college this fall, the first six (6) weeks of freshman year can be a particular vulnerable time due to student expectations and social pressures at the start of the academic year. While many will arrive or commute to campus to learn, experience new friendships, and make memories that will last a lifetime, many young adults will engage in harmful and underage college drinking and also deal with its aftermath.

Research shows that students who abstain from drinking often do so because their parents discussed alcohol use and its adverse consequences with them.

Massapequa Takes Action Coalition reminds parents to stay involved during these crucial early weeks.
Positive Youth Alternatives
Massapequa Public Library

The Massapequa Public Library continues to provide a variety of 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 Book Club: Percy Jackson the Lightning Thief

Friday, September 10th at 4:00 - 5:00pm.
Join us for a discussion about the hit novel The Lightning Thief, the first book in the Percy Jackson series. For grades 6-12.

Please register online here:
MTAC Fall Drug Take Back
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 NH28CE002530 from the CDC. 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 CDC.