Grief, Loss Forum To Help Shattered Village After Rash Of ODs

GREENPORT, NY — A forum has been organized for those still rocked by grief after a rash of overdoses in Greenport and on Shelter Island recently.

"In response to the tragic community losses of the last few weeks, Lutheran Counseling Center, in partnership with St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Greenport, will provide an open forum to address issues of grief and loss for interested community members," a release said.

The forum will take place at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, located at 71305 Main Road, on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m.

There will be an opportunity to meet separately with a mental health counselor after the forum.

Those hoping to participate should email revgmjstpete@aol.com.

Two drug dealers arrested and charged last week in connection with a string of overdoses, six fatal, that rocked the North Fork and Shelter Island, were arraigned Thursday.

Lavain Creighton, 51, who lives on Front Street in Greenport, was arrested on August 18 at 6:20 p.m. at his home, Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Jake Kubetz said. He was charged with six counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony, including the sale of narcotics that caused two fatal overdoses, Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini said.

Creighton faces a sentence of 54 years in jail if convicted on all charges, Sini said.

Sini said at least two of the other fatal overdoses may be linked to Creighton.

A second defendant, Justin Smith, 46, of Smithtown, was arraigned in Central Islip Thursday, Sini said, adding that Creighton reportedly received his drug supply from Smith, who was also found with drug paraphernalia.

Smith was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony; seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor; and two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, Sini said. Smith is also charged with five counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, and other lesser offenses in connection with a separate investigation; he was arrested and charged with the current offenses while out on bail, Sini said.

Smith was found with a half-ounce of fentanyl, 638 milligrams of cocaine, scales, a drug ledger, and more than 20,000 in cash, Sini said.

Because he is a "persistent felony offender," with two prior felony convictions, Smith faces a life sentence if convicted, Sini said.

Additional charges may be filed, including manslaughter in the second degree, Sini said.

New "Death by Dealer" legislation has been proposed by Senator Todd Kaminsky that would mean, if a dealer sold drugs that resulted in death, they would be facing charges of homicide in either the first or second degree, Sini said. Penalties would be a minimum of 15 years to life and a maximum of 25 years to life, Sini said.

"It's very simple, if you sold drugs and they cause death, you will be held liable," Sini said.

Sini said drugs are more deadly now than ever, with fentanyl becoming commonplace.

"If you bought drugs, you are playing Russian roulette with your life," he said. "This is an incredibly dangerous drug market. Using drugs is dangerous. But using drugs in 2021 in the United States of America is a death wish."

Anyone who bought any powdery substance in recent weeks should "get rid of it," Sini said. "If you bought anything on the East End in the last week, the chance that you have bought lethal product is extremely high."

A vigil was held Sunday recently at Mitchell Park in Greenport to mourn the six lives lost.