What Northport Students Learned During Recovery Awareness Prevention Week

Students throughout the Northport-East Northport School District recognized RAP (Recovery Awareness Prevention) week from Oct. 24-28.

The week featured special guest speakers, activities and assemblies dedicated to raising awareness of prescription drugs, alcohol and other unhealthy habits in an effort to highlight the dangerous impact they can have on a person’s life.

On Oct. 26, seventh-grade students at Northport Middle School attended an assembly titled “Beyond the Gateway Drugs,” which showcased the significant effects of drugs on an individual. Officer McVeigh from the Suffolk County Police Department shared personal stories about tragic drug incidents that she encountered while on the job and explained various types of drugs to the students. McVeigh stressed the importance of not sharing prescription drugs with anyone and provided videos of drug commercials to set examples for the students. Seventh-graders also learned about how drugs impact ones body and received a lesson on peer pressure.

“I think Officer McVeigh’s presentation was extremely powerful,” said guidance counselor Stacey Chertock. “She kept it real with the students and spoke to them on a level that they could understand. They received some great information.”

The school plans to further the discussion about drugs throughout the following weeks and answer any questions that the students may have.

Presentations throughout Northport High School also took place during RAP week. Guest speakers from various institutions and organizations visited the school and spoke about the impact of drugs and addiction. Students even heard from recovering addicts from the Phoenix House on Long Island.

On Oct. 28, all grade levels attended an assembly where the students heard from Larry Glenz, author of “Forgiving Kevin: A Son’s Addiction Becomes a Father’s Greatest Teacher.” Glenz shared his personal story of his son Kevin’s seven year battle with addiction. Kevin tragically died of a heroin overdose in 2010.

Glenz discussed the everyday challenges that one has when hooked on a drug and his son’s highs and lows from rehab to recovery to relapsing. He also provided details on how he handled Kevin’s addiction and the resources that helped him through his son’s battle. At the end of the presentation, students asked questions.

Drug and alcohol counselor Anthony Ferrandino helped bring RAP week 2016 to fruition with the intention of helping students get a better perspective of what drugs can do. “I hope it raises the awareness towards the many facets that addiction can play in their lives,” he said.

Story by Syntax, Photos courtesy of the Northport-East Northport School District:

• Northport Middle School students Will Sanders (right), Chad Tomczyk (middle) and Tim DeTolla (left) waited patiently to hear Officer McVeigh speak during the “Beyond the Gateway Drugs” assembly.
• Principal Timothy Hoss and Officer McVeigh flashed a smile with Northport Middle School students on Oct. 26.
• Officer McVeigh spoke about the dangers of using drugs during a powerful assembly at Northport Middle School as part of RAP week.
• Father and author Larry Glenz, visited Northport High School on Oct. 28 to share his family’s personal story of addiction and losing his son Kevin to heroin.
• Keynote speaker Larry Glenz with drug and alcohol counselor Anthony Ferrandino, Northport High School faculty members and eleventh and twelfth grade students on Oct. 28.