Working Together to prevent substance misuse and promote healthy families mtacoalition.com  Spring 2020 E-Newsletter

Welcome to MTAC's e-newsletter designed to connect all residents to our initiatives, programs and news! Join our coalition , visit our website or like us on Facebook page and be a part of the solution to prevent substance misuse! Working Together under COVID-19 We hope you, your family and our neighbors are healthy and doing well during New York State's PAUSE Directive to reduce COVID-19 infections. Massapequa Takes Action Coalition is thankful for its many partners that support our mission so we can continue to stay on track and implement our youth prevention initiatives. Massapequa Takes Action Coalition recognizes how COVID-19 continues to present challenges for Massapequas’ youth and families. To assist families in the prevention of youth substance misuse, MTAC has launched a new website, mtacoalition.com with updated resources regarding COVID-19 along with new and updated prevention resources in the prevention of underage drinking and marijuana and prescription drug misuse. While we adjust to the new normal under COVID-19, MTAC will provide relevant parenting and prevention articles to support you, our families and the community. You can Like us on Facebook , join our coalition and register for future e-newsletters to connect and be part of the solution!

YES Community Counseling Center , Massapequas' local treatment and counseling agency, is open during COVID 19. If you or a loved one is struggling with challenges such as anxiety, depression, family issues, or managing an addiction, YES offers virtual counseling to children, teens, and adults. Call (516)799-3203 to schedule a virtual appointment.

If you have medical or other concerns related to the COVID 19 virus, call the Nassau County Department of Health at 516-227-9570.

Alcohol and Teens Don't Mix! Be Their Guide. Don't Provide.

MTAC's new underage drinking prevention campaign, Alcohol and Teens Don’t Mix: Be Their Guide. Don’t Provide .  addresses how alcohol, the most widely used substance by Massapequas' youth, affects our children’s brain, health and our community's future. Underage drinking is a serious health and safety problem in the Massapequas as alcohol is the most widely abused substance among our youth. In the Massapequas, youth report Past 30 Day Use of Alcohol at alarming rates where our kids are having their first drink before the age of fourteen (2018 NYS OASAS YDS PFS Survey). April is Alcohol Awareness Month. We invite all parents and caregivers to talk with their tweens and teens about the dangers of underage drinking as only 58% of youth reported talking with a parent in the past year about the danger of alcohol use (2018 PFS YDS). Let's get to 100%-Speak with your child today! Let's work together, under COVID and every day,  to ensure our children's health & our community's future.

MTAC Drug TAKE Back POSTPONED SECURE & MONITOR RX Drugs in the HOME

Due to COVID-19, MTAC's April Drug Take Back Event has been postponed until further notice. We will inform all residents of the new date in the coming month(s).   While we are under the NYS PAUSE Directive, the Nassau County Police Department DOES NOT want residents disposing their prescription at the precincts --- until the PAUSE Directive is lifted.  Residents should SECURE & MONITOR their prescription drugs in the home. Click here to learn more about MTAC’s Prescription Drug prevention efforts.

Massapequa Public Library Youth Outreach

#MassapequaLibraryCheer The Massapequa Library wants to spread some cheer! Youth can use whatever supplies are at home to design a rainbow or a positive message to help people during these tough times. Put your image somewhere people can see it to spread some cheer. Take a picture and share, if you want, and use #MassapequaLibraryCheer. Teens who need community service can send pictures of their work on display to  Lzuena@massapequalibrary.org  for one hour of service per image, for up to three images.

For more information, click here for the MPL flyer.

Library In Your Pocket! Did you know that you have a library...in your pocket? Seriously! Even though Massapequas' library buildings are closed, the Massapequa Public Library has a variety of digital resources and ways to connect on your phone, a tablet, or a computer. To see the latest, visit www.massapequalibrary.org/

Don't have a library card? Apply for a temporary digital card at  www.nassaulibrary.org/digital-card

Prevention Matters: Now More Than Ever!

Research has shown that one of the biggest protective factors in reducing the likelihood a child will develop a substance abuse problem is strong parental disapproval of alcohol and drug use. The messages we send our kids are important as underage drinking increases dramatically as our youth navigate high school through young adulthood. To learn more about how we can send mixed messages to our youth, CLICK HERE .

About MTAC

The mission of Massapequa Takes Action Coalition is to prevent and reduce substance misuse and high-risk behaviors within the Massapequas. Since 1997, we have been collaborating with Massapequa Public Schools, parents, residents, law enforcement, clergy, private and non-profit agencies, businesses, and federal, state and local governments to enhance our efforts.  This e-newsletter was developed under grant number 1H79SPO80744-02 from the ONDCP and SAMHSA . The views, opinions, and content of this publication are those of the authors and contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of the ONDCP, SAMHSA or HHS.