Community Set to Rally Against Drug Addiction, Demand Space For Kids; Town Responds

EAST HAMPTON, NY — With the escalating tide of drug addiction and overdoses sweeping the community, a group of young adults have joined forces in East Hampton to seek change at the YMCA East Hampton RECenter.

The not-for-profit group, East End New Leaders, plans to rally at East Hampton Town Hall Thursday night, "to speak out against the lack of space for young people in East Hampton in the face of a rising drug epidemic."

According to the Walker Bragman of the East End New Leaders, "Psychologists and the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights agree that self-directed 'play' is an essential part of youth development, and yet our town does not provide for that need."

The East End New Leaders, he said, was formed to "tackle this issue." Although the RECenter is a collaboration of the town, East Hampton Village, and the YMCA, Bragman said he feels the programs are geared more toward "for-profit" memberships at the gym facility than a place where kids can explore their creativity.

The lack of space for kids to congregate, not just in East Hampton but across the board, has led to the increase in drug and alcohol use, he believes.

"How many more kids are going to overdose before we do something? Young people don't need a gym. What they need is space," Bragman said.

Free play is on the decline across the United States, Bragman added.

Bragman, 28, lives in East Hampton. He said his organization was founded in 2014 "as a means of getting young people engaged in the community. Youth is the bedrock of a solid community. If there are kids and families, they you have a real community. Without kids and families, you don't."

He and others who've grown up in East Hampton have seen peers die of drug overdoses and in car accidents, Bragman said.

Their group, he said, is calling for change at the YMCA RECenter; he said while organization gives surplus back, he is concerned that a large portions of funds generated have been used to purchase new gym equipment.

What kids need, Bragman believes, is additional free play, a space for kids to "go hang out" in a supervised environment. Studies, he said, have indicated that a decline in free play since the 1950s has led to anxiety disorder and depression and been linked to a loss of creativity and empathy.

"We're fostering bullying. It's the precursor to drug use and addiction," Bragman believes.

He and his group would like to see, at the YMCA East Hampton RECenter, more creative and art space. While "some of the gym should be maintained so the kids can have a physical outlet," as well as the pool, Bragman would like to see an upstairs teen lounge with a stage for open mic nights and a soundproof room for young people to play music.

He's also advocating for support for the Sax Leader Foundation, which he said is working to combat drug addiction and mental illness on the East End.

Town officials say YMCA East Hampton RECenter thriving, offers plethora of programs for kids

According to its website. the YMCA East Hampton RECenter, "a collaborative venture among the Town of East Hampton, the Village of East Hampton, and the YMCA — is a true gem among the surrounding riches of the world-famous Hamptons. The 21,000 square foot facility features modern architecture that fills the interior with natural light, giving members a bright and welcoming place to connect and get fit. The RECenter also has two indoor pools and boasts an award-winning swim team."

Glenn Vickers, executive director of the YMCA East Hampton RECenter, said, "I couldn't be prouder of the work that our current staff does every day."

The facility, he says, offers a plethora of programs, from science and creative arts to dance, music and sports, where kids "are just hanging out in a safe environment. I'm very happy and proud of what our team accomplishes every day," he said. "We have a huge membership at the facility and it doesn't matter what your age, race, or gender is here. Everyone is able to play together and have a great time. Everyone is focused on doing good work, every day."

East Hampton Town Councilwoman Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, town board liaison to the rec center, said the facility currently has 4,300 members, ranging in age from six months to 94 years old. Kids represent 44 percent of the membership, with more than 1,900 youth members.

The operational goals, spelled out in the license agreement, state that the facility will continue to offer a range of programming to both youth and adults, including swimming, fitness training, art, technology and other cultural endeavors, she said; the technology center will continue to operate according to the needs of the community.

The YMCA East Hampton RECenter, she said, offers soccer, dance classes, including hip hop, summer camps, team camps, rock bands, performing arts and karate, as well as a leaders' club for middle school students. Due to size limitations, some of those programs are offered at satellite locations, Burke-Gonzales said.

An afterschool program at John Marshall and the middle school brings 13 to 18 students per day; a Friday Night Madness event at the for grades 5 to 9 averages 30 to 55 kids every Friday, and a drop in program on Saturday nights averages 20 to 30 kids every Saturday night, she said.

Speaking to the issue of surplus funds, Burke-Gonzalez said the Y has given the town $27,000 in 2014 and $29,000 in 2015 for the town's capital improvement reserve fund. When asked about the facility's new gym equipment, the councilwoman said there was new equipment in 2016, but added, "I will just say the Y is in compliance with the terms of the license agreement."

Having joined the Y herself a few months ago, Burke-Gonzalez said, "It truly is a cross section of the community. There's a lot of diversity in membership." Seniors and young people mix at the facility, she said. "There's a lot of camaraderie there. There's a real sense of community, which is what we're all about."

In addition, adult programming includes Zumba, yoga, balance and fall prevention and water exercise for seniors, as well as Livestrong program for cancer survivors. "There's a range of offerings," Burke-Gonzalez said. "And it's popular. Whenever you go in there it's always busy."

As for substance abuse, Burke-Gonzalez said a multi-pronged approach is critical. The town, she said, allocates $50,000 each year to the Family Service League and $50,000 to Phoenix House's outpatient program; a new South Fork mental health initiative also serves more than 170 students, she said; the town allocates $27,500 for that program, she added. In addition, the town has also hosted drug forums and Narcan training along with the school district, she said.

But, she added, the role of parents in tackling the issue and in remaining vigilant is also critical.

"It takes a village," she said.

Photo, video courtesy of Walker Bragman.