War Against Opioids: 'The Ugly Truth' In Hampton Bays

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — The community joined forces Thursday night in the ongoing battle to stem the insidious opioid crisis and keep area youth safe.

A crowd headed to Hampton Bays High School to attend the South Fork’s first presentation of “The Ugly Truth," the district said.

The multiagency presentation centered on the opioid epidemic on Long Island and was presided over by the Suffolk County Police Department, with representatives from the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office, Suffolk County Office of Mental Health, and Southampton Police Department also present.

Experts were onhand to offer information related to the opioid epidemic as well as to present a potentially life-saving Narcan training for everyone over 18.

The SCPD was also available in the auditorium lobby before and after the event to collect unwanted medications in order to properly dispose of them.

“This was a very frank, eye-opening discussion about opioids and how a person could become addicted and die from heroin laced with fentanyl," said Drew Scott.

Scott, a longtime journalist and news anchor, has served as co-chair of the Southampton Town Opioid Addiction Task Force and sits on the Southampton Town Opioid Addiction and Recovery Committee.

"I lost my beautiful granddaughter to opioid addiction," Scott has told Patch. "We have lost so many in the community to these deadly drugs. We need to bring the experts together to help us find concrete solutions to this crisis."

Scott dedicates his time to raising awareness about the deadly opioid epidemic that claimed the life of his beautiful granddaughter Hallie Ulrich, 22.

Teachers and students from Hampton Bays High School were given extra credit for attending; between 200 and 300 students received Narcan training and a free giveaway of Narcan, which can save lives after an overdose.