Smithtown Youth Bureau & Horizons Counseling and Education Center SrA Manzueta and SPC Cassidy NYC Counterdrug Task Force Long Island Civil Operations Specialist

The Importance of a Community Alliance

WHY?!?!?!? Why are we here? Why is this important? Why is our help important? Why Smithtown?

2010 184 Drug Related Arrests

2011 70 Drug Related Arrests

2012 80 Drug Related Arrests

2013 90 Drug Related Arrests

2014 99 Drug Related Arrests

2015 108 Drug related Arrests

Who is it? Median age of those arrested is 33.1 years old Roughly 75% male and 25% female (depending on year) Roughly 60% of the arrests occur after 7pm Arrests happen more frequently between the months of July and December Arrest locations are reoccurring

Where is this Happening A lot of the locations have repeat arrests Some are located close to schools Others locations are houses frequented by addicts and dealers Here are some locations (certain addresses will not be complete for individuals’ privacy)

Arrest Locations Smithtown Bypass- close to Great Hollow Middle School Blydenburg Ave- close to the Smithtown Library Several arrests along Route 25A- Right in and around private homes Dealer arrested on Winston Drive- right down the road from the state park and soccer academy

Overdoses Between 2013 and 2015 there have been 40 overdose deaths related to opiates/heroin 29 males 11 females 3 of the individuals had alcohol in their system Suffolk County has the highest overdose death rate in the state Overdoses related to opiates and heroin now claim more lives then car accidents every year in the United States

Overdoses cont. 2015 there was a recorded 234 naloxone administrations (county) 2014 16,681 treatment admissions for opioid addiction. Up from 12,887 in 2010(state) 637 drug related deaths in 2013. Up from 242 in 2009 (state) Prescription opioid deaths 952 2013. Up from 735 in 2009 (state) Opioid emergency room visits up 73% from 2010-2014 (state)

Why now? Why Here? Commonly perceived social norms (Use of substance considered normal) Environmental Factors (stores, signs and advertisements) Ease of access (substance is easily acquired by all) Chemical progression (gateway drugs, abuse of prescription)

The Alliance Role Implement environmental changes Educate students of the real threats they may face Educate parents (signs and symptoms, social host, ease of addiction, biggest influence) Bring about awareness to the community

Who should join? Effective organizations are run on the backs of volunteers Try and have a representative from each of the 12 sectors. (will show on following slide) Any and all community members who want to make a difference YOUTH!!! Having youth involved is important and beneficial too community work

The 12 Sectors Youth Parents Business Community Media School Youth Serving Organizations Civic or Volunteer groups Health Care Professionals State, local and tribal governmental agencies with expertise in the field of substance abuse Other organizations involved in reducing substance abuse

Structure Important to establish a ladder of leadership (president, vice president, secretaries, treasurer, executive council voters) this can be different This can help avoid gridlock Gives purpose to individuals and allows for voting to occur Easier dissemination of information and tasks Chiefs and Indians!!!!

Youth Involvement Youth can be an invaluable part of any organization They are first hand accounts of what is going on They can participate in organization events and meetings Can form their own youth coalition Are able to do peer to peer education and training

Conclusion Alliances/coalitions work! Staying involved is key to making a difference You may not see the fruits of your labor but its worth it!! Help spread the word and the movement $1 spent on prevention saves $20 on treatment Finally there are peoples futures and lives that need saving

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has -Margaret Mead

Questions?