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Good morning!
The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released its National Survey on Drug Use and Health last week and sadly there weren't too many surprises. Drug use among adolescents nationwide increased between 2008 and 2009, reflecting the trend we've seen here on Long Island - a trend that's continued into 2010.
 There was a sizable increase in those reporting marijuana use, and the percentage of youth perceiving great risk of harm associated with smoking marijuana weekly dropped from 54.7% in 2007 to 49.3% in 2009, marking the first time since 2002 that less than half of young people perceived great harm from frequent marijuana use.
At LICADD, we often hear parents of heroin users talk about a time when their kids "just drank and smoked pot on the weekends," minimizing the well-documented damage alcohol and marijuana do to the developing adolescent brain and ironically ignoring the well-worn pathway to full-blown dependency.
Baby boomers who may have smoked pot during high school and college will quickly point out that the sky didn't fall because of their use and that they grew into productive and successful professionals. But pot these days is more potent than ever before, the legal consequences have grown and kids connecting with a dealer today are quickly introduced to the full line-up of illicit drugs, including OxyContin and Vicodin, which have better profit margins.
Still, there was at least one piece of good news buried in the survey results: According to the survey, past month marijuana use was much less prevalent among youths who perceived strong parental disapproval for trying marijuana than among those who did not - 4.8% versus 31.3%, respectively. If you have young people in your life, have the conversation today. If you need help, call me and we can come up with a game plan together.
Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D
Executive Director |
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Super Saturday! | |
Meet up with LICADD at any of these great events on Saturday, September 25th!
Morning
Thousands will gather for the 3rd Annual New York Recovery Rally at Randall's Island Park to celebrate recovery from addiction. Fun, family activities begin in Icahn Stadium at 8:00 a.m., leading to the day's kick-off event at 10:00 a.m.: the Odyssey House 5th Annual "Run for Your Life." The Odyssey House event will be followed directly by a historic, unified "Recovery Celebration Walk" along the scenic Harlem River with a view of the Manhattan skyline, where like last year's inspirational A&E Recovery Rally, thousands will walk side by side, as one strong and courageous voice for recovery.
The Recovery Celebration Walk will lead into the Harlem River event site for a jam-packed lineup of inspirational speakers, entertainment and activities, surrounded by vendor booths. Join us as we celebrate individuals and families in recovery; honor organizations providing prevention, treatment and recovery services; and offer a beacon of hope and support for those still in need of hope and help.
On-site registration is free starting at 8:00AM. Because everyone seems to ask "Where's Randalls Island?" here's a link to a map/directions. The NYS OASAS website lists sponsors, including our own NCADD, along with the day's schedule and additional details. There's a bus leaving from CK Post and making a stop at the Mental Health Association in Nassau that can take you to and from the event. Call LICADD at 516-747-2606 for more details.
Afternoon
 LICADD is proud to participate in OPERATION APPRECIATION, an event honoring veterans and their families from all service eras. The event will take place from 12:00Noon to 4:00 PM at the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, New York. We are thrilled to help organize this event in collaboration with Phoenix House, Congressman Steve Israel, Northport VAMC, Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency, and the Veterans Health Alliance of Long Island. Our partners include Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Welcome Home Event. We hope you'll join us in support of those who have so bravely served our country. Participation is free and there will be plenty of food, family activities, info booths and games for the kids. Directions are here.
Evening
 Finally, on Saturday night, the Long Island Recovery Association (LIRA) reprises its successful Rock-N- Recovery Celebration from 7:30-11:30PM at the Deer Park Community Center. Tickets are just $10.00 and include buffet, beverages, DJ and dancing. Come share the miracle of recovery as we celebrate Recovery Month! Call LICADD at 516-747-2606 for more info, tickets or to become a sponsor. The Deer Park Community Center is located at 41 Homer Avenue in Deer Park. |
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Golf Outing Just a Week Away | |
 The golf playing spots at LICADD's 30th Annual R. Brinkley Smithers Invitational golf outing on Monday, September 27th are officially sold-out! We've got a waiting list for those who would like to play in the event of a cancellation. You can also still join us for dinner at The Creek in Locust Valley following the tournament. WABC-TV's Scott Clark emcees and Ed Mangano receives our Humanitarian award. There will be great food, a jazz band and an exciting live auction featuring playing opportunities at some of America's best golf courses. Dinner tickets are just $200 and can be purchased by calling Rosanne Slattery at 516-747-2606. This promises to be one of the year's best networking opportunities and we'd love to see you there!
You can also still buy a tee sign and demonstrate your support for LICADD, while gaining exposure with more than 225 active and influential golfers. Tee signs are just $150 each and can be purchased online here.
This is one of two major fundraisers we hold annually to support our life-saving services and prevention programs year-round. As demand for our services increases, we need your help more than ever before. Please join us next Monday! |
| Prescription Drug Take-Back on Saturday |
 The North Shore-LIJ Health System is partnering with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other government, community, public health and law enforcement organizations in a nationwide prescription drug "Take-Back" initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft.
In conjunction with the DEA, North Shore-LIJ is collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at its 14 hospitals on Long Island and in New York City, on Saturday, September 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is free and anonymous, and no questions will be asked.
Here's a list of the North Shore-LIJ Health System hospital collection sites:
Suffolk Hospitals: Huntington Hospital and Southside Hospital (Bay Shore)
Nassau Hospitals: Plainview, Syosset and Glen Cove, Franklin Hospital in Valley Stream, North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, and LIJ Medical Center (including - LIJ Hospital, The Zucker Hillside, Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York) in New Hyde Park.
New York City Hospitals: Forest Hills Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, and Staten Island University (North and South campuses) Hospital.
You can find other collection sites on Long Island via the DEA website. |
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| LICADD Newsletter Sponsorships | |
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| Please Join Us! |
Youth Advisory Board (YAB) Meeting
Wednesday, September 22nd
LICADD's Williston Park Office | |
Celebration
Saturday, September 25th
7:30PM-11:30PM
Deer Park Community Center
30th Annual R. Brinkley Smithers Invitational Golf Outing
Monday, September 27th
The Creek &
Piping Rock Clubs
21st Annual Peter Sweisgood Breakfast
Sunday, November 14th
Melville Marriott |
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