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Dear Friend:
As we continue our 54th year of service to Long Island, we at LICADD held our annual meeting last week, installing some new officers and adding a new board member to our team. Bill Baum (Essex Manufacturing, Inc.) assumes the role of Board Chair, taking the reins from Curt Webster (Vehicle Lender Group) who served two terms with grace, poise, determination and unwavering support for LICADD's mission. Jeffery Capazzi (The Jobin Organization, Inc.) and Caryn M. Hirshleifer, Esq. (Hirshleifer's) join Rev. Philip K. Eichner, S.M. (Kellenberg Memorial High School), and Adele C. Smithers (The Christopher D. Smithers Foundation, Inc.) as Vice Chairs. Thomas D. Croci (The Christopher D. Smithers Foundation, Inc.) remains on as Secretary and Mary Ann Vassallo (Family and Children's Association) will serve as Treasurer.
Continuing board members include the following: Maureen Brennan; Michael J. Danzi; Candace Dellacona, Esq.; Alfred E. Devendorf, Esq.; Francis C. Galluccio; Marc L. Hamroff, Esq.; Prescott Jennings, Jr.; Hon. Bruce Kennedy; Margot Kramer; Lillian McCormick; Patricia Pryor Bonica, CPC; Michael Quinland, Ph.D; Michael Schaffield, Esq.; John P. Sheehy, M.D.; and of course, Curtis Webster, CVLE.
LICADD is pleased to welcome John Mangano to the Board. John owns New Media Printing based in Bethpage and as a proud father, it's his concern about Long Island's young people that propelled him to become more invloved in LICADD's work.
LICADD's active and committed board of directors is the backbone of our organization and none of what we have accomplished would have been possible without each of them. We appreciate their continued willingness to serve and look forward to some great things ahead!
Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D
Executive Director
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| BUDDY Program Breaks Cycle! |
BUDDY (Building Unique, Dynamic & Diverse Youth) brings together three nonprofit organizations - LICADD, the Long Island Council of Churches (LICC) and the Mentoring Partnership of Long Island (MPLI) - who have launched and now operate a mentoring program for children in Nassau County whose mothers are incarcerated.
Children of incarcerated parents often experience fear, anger, sadness, loneliness, abandonment, embarrassment, guilt, resentment, isolation and emotional withdrawal from family and friends. Family instability, trauma linked to witnessing the parent's arrest, incarceration and/or criminal activities and uncertainty about the future challenge even the most resilient children. Without assistance, many of these children are at increased risk for poor academic performance, drug and alcohol abuse, unsafe sexual behaviors, and juvenile justice or criminal justice system involvement. This program helps break the cycle and ensures that Nassau's most at-risk kids get the help they need to be successful.
We need volunteer mentors who can devote an hour a week to a young person. Orientations are held monthly and we'll give you all the training and support you need to have a great experience. Also, if you know of a young person (4-18yrs) whose mom is incarcerated and who could benefit from mentoring, please call Valerie Taylor at 516-747-2606. |
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Washington State Enacts OD Prevention Law |
 A new law aimed at saving lives in Washington State by encouraging people who witness drug overdoses to call 911 went tinto effect two weeks ago. The "911 Good Samaritan" law provides immunity from low level drug possession charges to people who seek medical assistance in drug overdose situations.
"This legislation is about saving lives, nothing more - nothing less," Sen. Rosa Franklin said. Franklin sponsored the bill, SB 5516, during the 2010 Legislative session. Rep. Roger Goodman sponsored similar legislation in the House.
By removing a common obstacle to seeking help in overdose situations - fear of police involvement - the law encourages witnesses to call for help. Immunity is also given to overdose victims. "What it came down to for us is that if it can save a few lives, it's worth it," said Don Pierce, executive director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
"If people are aware that they can call 911 to report an overdose without fear of arrest on drug possession charges, lives will be spared," said John Gahagan, board member of the Science and Management of Addictions Foundation and the parent of an overdose victim. "Fewer families will have to endure the devastating loss that my family still experiences every day."
Washington's Attorney General Rob McKenna said, "Drug overdoses are the number one cause of accidental death in Washington, ahead of motor vehicles, falls, and firearms," said. "If you suspect that someone you know is having an overdose, there's no reason to delay. Call 911 immediately."
Symptoms of a drug overdose may include skin, fingertips, or lips turning blue; inability to wake the person up; very slow breathing or none at all; confusion; abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; chest pain; shortness of breath; or skin that is either cool and sweaty or hot and dry. "With an overdose, the faster we can intervene, the better our chances of saving that life," said Dr. William Hurley, Medical Director of the Washington Poison Center.
With an overdose per day happening here on Long Island, perhaps it's time for New York State to follow suit. LICADD has begun working with lawmakers to see if we can get such a bill passed this year. Stay tuned for more details!
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| Save The Date! |
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30th Annual R. Brinkley Smithers Invitational Golf Outing
September 27, 2010
The Creek &
Piping Rock
21st Annual Peter Sweisgood Breakfast
November 14, 2010
Melville Marriott
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