The Obama Administration announced an updated strategy to fight the on-going drug crisis our nation faces. This strategy targets three affected populations: active duty military and veterans, college students, and women and their dependent children. 

According to the most recent survey data of state and Federal prison inmates from the Department of Justice, approximately 60 percent of the 140,000 veterans in Federal and state prisons are struggling with a substance use disorder, and 25% reported using drugs at the time of offense. Approximately 44% of full-time college students, age 18 to 22, reported binge drinking in the past 30 days, and 20% reported past-month use of marijuana or other illegal drugs. 

Women are also using drugs in increasing numbers, but continue to receive treatment less frequently than men, while teenage girls are abusing prescription drugs at higher rates than teenage boys. The five-year plan aims to cut drug use among youth by 15%; drug-induced deaths by 15%; and drugged driving by 10% by strengthening efforts to prevent drug use in our communities, seeking early intervention opportunities in health care, integrating treatment for substance use disorders into health care and supporting recovery, breaking the cycle of drug use, crime, delinquency, and incarceration, disrupting domestic drug trafficking and production, strengthening international partnerships, and improving information systems to better analyze, assess, and locally address drug use and its consequences. 

The Obama Administration has committed over $10 billion to drug education programs and support for expanding access to drug treatment. Gil Kerlikowske, White House Director of National Drug Control Policy (pictured above) stated, "This roadmap to reducing drug use and its consequences will require teamwork and collaboration that draws on the strengths of the prevention, treatment, law enforcement, criminal justice, and recovery communities, as well as parents all across America."  

Our next full-day Anger Management Workshop will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2011 from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. This one-day solution-focused workshop is designed to produce lasting changes in the most efficient way possible. The agency's traditional 12-hour workshop series has been compressed into 8 hours of instruction, interaction, and exploration. The pace is fast, the experience is intense, and the results are extraordinary. Participants will receive an official certificate after completing the course. LICADD's anger management services are approved by all courts, probation departments, and Child Protective Services.

 

LICADD is the premier provider of anger management classes on Long Island, offering low-cost anger management workshops, classes, and coaching in both Nassau County and Suffolk County. Payment for LICADD's anger management services may be made via check, cash or major credit card. Those on Medicaid, Public Assistance or EAP clients are eligible for a reduction in fees.

 

Class size is limited to 12 participants to ensure attendees receive the utmost attention. Classroom exercises and instructional materials are used to help guide participants in learning a variety of skills including stress management, communication training, anger management, empathy, conflict resolution, as well as skills in developing better judgement and impulse control.

 

The workshop will be held at LICADD's Ronkonkoma office, conveniently located at 2805 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 26, just off of the Long Island Expressway. The full-day Anger Management Workshop is known to fill to capacity well in advance. To secure your placement or for further information on the agency's anger management services, please contact Steven Pinto, M.S., MHC, LICADD's Assessment, Education, and Referral Specialist at spinto@licadd.org or 516-747-2606.

On Sunday, July 31, 2011, the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD) and Drug Free Long Island, Inc. will host its second annual Fishing Fundraising Event to support programs for at-risk children and families.

  

The two nonprofits will co-sponsor chartered boats leaving from Captree and Freeport, followed by a family barbecue at John Burns Park in Massapequa.