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

2. The Importance of a Community Alliance

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

4. Drug Related Arrests

5. Drug Related Arrests

6. Drug Related Arrests

7. Drug Related Arrests

8. Drug Related Arrests

9. Drug related Arrests

10. 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

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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!!!!

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Questions?