33rd Annual Say NO To Drugs March
Date: Friday June 1
Time: 9:30am-11:00am
Location: Pulaski Street Elementary School, 300 Pulaski Street, Riverhead
Riverhead Community Awareness Program, Inc. (CAP) will sponsor its 33rd Annual Say NO to Drugs March on Friday, June 1, 2018. Sgt. Sean P. Cassidy from the NY National Guard Counterdrug Task Force will be the honored guest at this year’s march.
Sgt. Cassidy has been a member of the National Guard for 5 years and has worked as a Civil Operations Specialist in the Counterdrug Task Force for the past 2 years. He is also a CAP volunteer for the Pulaski Street Prevention Education Program and has provided technical assistance to the Riverhead Community Coalition for Safe & Drug-Free Youth since 2016. He understands that substance abuse prevention at a young age can make a significant difference in the lives of young people.
“I joined the Counterdrug Task Force to make a difference, said Sgt. Cassidy. “Out of everything I’ve done on Counterdrug, participating in the Pulaski Program and being asked to lead the CAP March have been the most rewarding, even if it changes only one life.”
Since 1983 Riverhead Community Awareness Program, Inc. (CAP), a nonprofit organization, has been providing drug and alcohol prevention, education and counseling programs for the Riverhead Central School District. CAP is best known for its two-year prevention program serving over 800 fifth and sixth graders in Pulaski Street School each year. The Life Skills program, taught by community volunteers and student peer leaders, concludes with the annual Say NO to Drugs March. Although the goal of the program is to prevent and delay underage drinking and drug use in youth, its evidence-based foundation is rooted in building self-esteem, and increasing healthy decision-making skills.
“Sgt. Cassidy is such a positive role model and the students love him,” said Felicia Scocozza, executive director of Riverhead CAP. “As a CAP volunteer at Pulaski, he not only gives the students tools to make healthy decisions and avoid substance abuse, he models them through his interactions. He clearly recognizes the potential of Riverhead’s youth and he is right there on the front lines when it comes to offering his support, knowledge and experience.”
“Kids have the biggest voices in their schools and community,” said Sgt. Cassidy. “They can make a huge difference through simple actions like helping a friend and being a positive role model. I’m thrilled to be able to help through my participation in the CAP program and the Riverhead Community Coalition for Safe & Drug-Free Youth.”
The 33rd Annual Say NO to Drugs March begins at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 1st, in front of Pulaski Street School; heads south on Roanoke Avenue, then west on 2nd Street, returning to Pulaski Street School via Griffing and Hallett avenues. Following the march, there will be a brief ceremony on the steps of Pulaski Street School in which Sgt. Cassidy will address the students and community along with NYS Senator Ken LaValle, Assemblyman Fred Thiele, and the Riverhead Town Board, among others. After the ceremony, the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1742 will once again generously serve a picnic lunch to all of the students.
