Suffolk Police to Continue 'Ugly Truth' Forum to Combat Drug Abuse

WEST ISLIP, NY - Suffolk Police announced on Wednesday that the department will be continuing "The Ugly Truth" program as an effort to combat drug abuse in the area.

Police Commissioner Timothy D. Sini made the announcement at a news conference at the West Islip Library.

The program will raise awareness about the issues, inform parents of the signs of substance abuse, as well as explain the physical and emotional consequences of using drugs.

In addition, "The Ugly Truth" forum will provide resources for those in the grips of addiction and their families to get the help they need. Narcan training is also provided at the programs.

Since 2015, police hosted 41 forums with over 3,500 participants including 700 teens between 14 and 17 years old. A total of 3,000 attendees were trained to administer Narcan, which is used to treat narcotic overdose in an emergency situation, and 2,400 Narcan kits were distributed.

"It's very important that residents understand that the Suffolk County Police Department is there to help and often times that means responded to an aided call, sometimes that means administering Narcan, sometimes that means making arrests," Sini said during the conference. "But it also means interacting with folks and educating folks about problems that are facing our county and the Ugly Truth forum is a great example of some of that work we do."

The next two forums will take place on Monday, January 30 at 7 p.m. with the Lindenhurst Community Cares Coalition and at Elwood Middle School on Wednesday, February 1 at 7 p.m.