Huntington PTSA Hears of
Ongoing Epidemic
The Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence was on hand at the Huntington High School PTSA's monthly meeting for an informative and thought-provoking presentation on what has an increasingly become a true epidemic.
LICADD's clinical director, Steve Chassman and the organization's student assistance program coordinator, Lisa Ganz shared statistics and vital information while urging those in attendance to "pass the message on that we are in the midst of a current drug and alcohol epidemic."
Rick Migliore and Nancy Durante from The Gift at the Rose Center, an adolescent treatment and wellness center scheduled to open soon in Huntington, also participated in the presentation.
Some of the evening's points included:
• We have become a prescription drug nation.
• Young people are making many unhealthy choices. If left untreated, the problems can get progressively worse.
• Alcohol and marijuana are the "gateway drugs".
• "Polysubstance abuse" involving Adderall, Ritalin, Ecstasy and Molly (MDMA) is increasingly common.
• Substance abuse and dependence is preventable.
• Alcohol abuse is a leading cause of death among adolescents.
• Today's marijuana is genetically engineered so it is a very potent drug.
• Beer Pong = Binge Drinking
• Mind and Mood altering drugs include alcohol, amphetamines, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates, benzodiazepines, sedatives and stimulants.
• Recently enacted legislation is aimed at helping New York State crack down on prescription drug abuse. The new I-STOP Law includes a series of provisions to overhaul the way prescription drugs are distributed and tracked in the state.
• The current drug crisis is being fueled by opiates.
• Presenters offered an example that illustrated the surge in dopamine associated with eating ice cream (10 percent surge), acing a test and receiving praise (15 percent surge) and using an opiate (500,000 percent surge).
• The roots of experimental or recreational drug use are almost always traced to the teen years.
• People use drugs for a variety of reasons: Poor coping skills, recreation and self-medication are among the most prevalent.
• Young people who begin drinking before age 15 are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who abstain until age 21.
The audience included about 20 parents and school officials, including Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky.
This year's Huntington High School PTSA is led by Alice Marie Rorke (president), Maryann DeSimone (vice-president), Nancy Shivers (vice-president), Laura Mills (recording secretary), Laurene Napurano (corresponding secretary), Debbie Knowles (treasurer) and PTA Council delegates Lorraine Corbly and Dolores Breslin.