Local Woman Fights Teen Drug Addiction, Alcohol Abuse One Kid At A Time

Just as so many teens for decades have primped and prepared for Valentine’s Day dances, choosing the perfect red sweater or summoning up the courage to ask the perfect girl for a date, young people are readying for Saturday’s event at Head Start in Southold.

While the dance will feature a DJ, pizza, dancing and even video games, the event has an even deeper message, especially during a time on the North Fork when escalating use of drugs such as heroin have parents desperate for answers.

Saturday night’s activities will be imbued with a healthy dose of drug-and-alcohol prevention, showing kids hows to make healthy choices and find fun in ways that don’t involve substance abuse.

The “Teen and Tweens Valentine’s Day Dance” takes place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Head Start, located at 1850 Main Bayview Road in Southold. Admission costs $5. The event is hosted by The Guidance Center, lead agency for Communities that Care, with the support of a Suffolk County Youth Bureau grant.

It’s appropriate that the theme for the night is love, because Susan Toman, executive director of the Guidance Center, has spent years pouring her heart into her passion —finding ways to protect young people from the dangers of addiction.

She’s hosted monthly dances, watching kids grow from children into young adults, and including them in a prevention education effort throughout their adolescens.

“They all went to the dances over the years. Each month, a different theme,” Toman said. ”We utilized evidenced-based prevention to bring a message. There are other choices when life is stressful. We taught refusal skills, we empowered parents, and we incorporated lessons into programs youth enjoyed.”

Utilizing Lions Quest, evidence-based prevention education, Toman said results have been tangible, with increased academic achievement, decreased problem behaviors and improved pro-social behaviors all hallmarks of the program.

Throughout the years, Toman said, “Our little group stayed committed to the community. The Lions actually sent me to train in their Lions Quest Program — and we did the work. I also trained in all of the evidenced based programs I could to ward off what I know is so damaging.”

Due to early education, Toman said young people know the warning signs. “They know the red flags of addiction, and can make a U-turn to safety.”

Through a flurry of events, including marching in parades, setting up booths at the Maritime Festival, Strawberry Festival and other community events, Toman has been able to engage in continuous outreach to both young people and their parents. A free summer camp, offering crafts, outdoor activities and drug-and-alcohol prevention education, is offered every year for local kids with more than 50 turning out for the program.

Social media has also played an important role, a place for parents to find resources and reading material, followed up by personal phone calls, Toman said. “It’s sort of a triage, to find the right help.”

Science-based studies, Toman said, have indicated that when communities come together on all levels, from parents to educators, businesses to law enforcement, media to medical professionals, the outcome can be life-altering, with young people able to see that they’re supported and embraced by a community pro-active in taking a stand against addiction.

“Prom prevention, bands on the beach, dances, the Starfish Ball, all with the community’s support, shows our local children this — Southold Town is a Community That Cares,” Toman said. “What the evidence says works — programs and involvement from all sectors of the community can make a difference.”