$625K Federal Grant to Combat Drug Abuse Among Northport Youths

The Northport East Northport Drug & Alcohol Task Force is the recipient of a $625,000 federal grant that will be used to help combat the drug epidemic that has taken over youths in the local community.

This funding looks to save the lives of youths who are starting to use drugs and alcohol at a very young age, said Jeffrey Friedman, CEO of Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services.

According to the Task Force, the funding is much needed. Northport/East Northport students are reportedly using alcohol at a 60 percent higher rate than the national average. Northport also contributes to Suffolk County leading New York State in heroin and prescription opioid deaths, the organization says.

“Even as heroin and prescription opioids are destroying L.I. families at unprecedented rates, this community-focused grant provides a new opportunity to break the cycle of abuse and ‘business as usual’ – and to spark community-level change,” Friedman said.

Through the grant, the Task Force looks to hire a full-time “Task Force” coalition leader and support activities such as parent-education, social media initiatives, pharmacist/youth collaboration and stricter law enforcement practices. The Task Force will receive the funds over the course of five years ($125,000 per year).

To help with the efforts, nonprofit leader CN Guidance, which serves families and people with mental health and substance use disorders, will provide administrative oversight and expertise on substance use prevention and treatment.

Communities that receive Drug-Free Community support similar to the type granted to Northport/East Northport are proven to have a significant decrease in use of prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana among local youth, the Task Force says.

Rob Banzer, Superintendent of Northport/East Northport Schools said he is pleased to receive this grant. “The additional resources will allow us to sustain the critical work being done by the Drug and Alcohol Task Force on behalf of our youth in our communities," he said.

The Task Force consists of community members looking to make a difference, including parents, youths, teachers, school administrators, medical professionals, religious leaders, the police chief, local media and more.