OCADA Hosts 'A Perfect Storm' Forum For Parents And Teens

From OCADA: Our Communities Against Drug Abuse (OCADA) of the Nyacks and Valley Cottage is pleased to announce that on January 19, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. we will host a free community event “A Perfect Storm: Battling Misconceptions and the Health Crisis of Underage Drinking and Substance Use Disorders,” cosponsored by Nyack School District and Wellcore, Inc.

Most Americans know someone with a substance use disorder, and many know someone who has lost or nearly lost a family member as a consequence of substance misuse. Yet, at the same time, few other medical conditions are surrounded by as much shame and misunderstanding as substance use disorders. According to a recent report from the U.S. Surgeon General (http://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov/), alcohol misuse is a “pervasive and increasing problem” in U.S. and youth and young adults are especially at risk. “Although substance misuse problems and use disorders may occur at any age, adolescence and young adulthood are particularly critical at-risk periods,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. People who use alcohol before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder later in life compared to those who have their first drink at age 20 or older. Consequences of alcohol misuse include compromised physical and mental health, including heart and liver diseases, various forms of cancer, suicide attempts and fatalities, and overdose deaths.

The educational evening on January 19, which is a must for parents of teens, will be held at Nyack Seaport and will feature speakers Dr. Parinda Parikh and Dr. Ayodele Adeigbola from Second Arc Psychiatric Associates of White Plains. Drs. Parikh and Adeigbola will also take part in a panel discussion along with Dornzella Milligan, MA, CPP, Student Support Services Prevention Coordinator at Nyack High School; Rockland County Undersheriff Robert Van Cura, OCADA’s Board President; India Perez-Urbano, NHS Alumnus and founder of Rockland Connects; and “John,” a young adult in recovery. The panel will be followed by a question and answer session with the audience.

Other “Perfect Storm” events organized by Wellcore, Inc. in recent years have seen enthusiastic community turnout, with parents and others eager for information and resources. A popular feature of previous events has been resource tables staffed by representatives of local organizations, which attendees can visit before and after the panel to learn more about community resources for prevention and treatment of substance use disorders and mental health disorders.

Refreshments will be served. The evening is a first in a planned series of Town Hall style forums that will be free and open to the community.

Images Courtesy Of OCADA