East Rockaway Village, Schools Presenting Drug Prevention Program

Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony D’Esposito will be a panel participant and will be presenting his life-saving narcan training as part of a drug prevention program hosted by the East Rockaway School District. The community information and resource fair, “Substance Abuse, Mental Health and YOU…Powerful Stories of Prevention, Support and Recovery Day,” is being sponsored by the East Rockaway School District Task Force, D’Esposito and the East Rockaway Village Foundation and is beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 11 at East Rockaway High School.

“Our nation is facing an opioid crisis and here, in the Town of Hempstead, we are taking a pro-active approach to raise awareness about drug and pain medication abuse,” said D’Esposito. “I commend the East Rockaway School District for presenting a comprehensive program to students, parents and educators addressing this epidemic and I appreciate the opportunity to lend my expertise. As a former NYPD detective and ex-chief of the Island Park Fire Department, I have seen families devastated because of opioid abuse, and I am committed to helping save lives.”

The event consists of various components, including a student assembly during the school day with guest speaker Kevin Alter discussing his road to recovery. The evening program includes a resource fair from 6:30 to 9 p.m. with local substance use and mental health related organizations on site, including Seafield Center, Families in Support of Treatment (FIST), Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction (LICADD), Long Beach Reach, New Horizons Counseling Center, Friends of Bridge and Mental Health Association (MHA).

“We are proud to join with Councilman D’Esposito and the East Rockaway School District to educate our community about the dangers of drugs and to raise awareness about mental health,” said East Rockaway Mayor Bruno Romano. “Knowledge is power, and so it is our hope that every resident will attend this informative program.”

The panel discussion will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. and will focus on the scope of substance abuse and mental health disorders, prevention strategies, treatment options and other important information for parents. Panels participants include D’Esposito; Pam Stark, retired NCPD Detective and Provider Relations for Seafield Center, Inc.; Dr. Joseph Smith, PhD, Executive Director of Long Beach Reach; Steve Chassman, Executive Director of Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD); and Deborah Tarantino, LCSW, Program Coordinator of Families in Support of Treatment (FIST).

The evening’s event will conclude with a narcan training conducted by D’Esposito from 8 to 9 p.m. D’Esposito has trained more than 2,000 residents of the Town of Hempstead, with 13 classes already scheduled through March. Narcan kits can quickly reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose and will combat opioid deaths. The training includes identifying an overdose victim, administering narcan and contacting emergency officials.

“By training local residents as well as those who are on the front lines, we can help beat the scourge of heroin and other opioids to help save lives of those who are battling this terrible affliction,” D’Esposito said. “I urge parents, friends and neighbors to attend this important community program to educate yourself and obtain valuable resources and skills to help those in need.”

Photo: Alex Costello/Patch