What’s Happening

On May 9, 2016 the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NYS OASAS)  launched the latest phase of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Talk2Prevent education campaign at Riverhead High School. This initiative is focused on preventing underage and binge drinking and illicit drug use ahead of prom and graduation season. The statewide campaign includes a new radio public service announcement (PSA) and digital ads urging parents to have regular discussions about alcohol and drug use and the importance of making a plan with their child on how to exit situations involving drinking or drug use.

“Graduation and prom are major milestones for students and their families, and they should be happy occasions,” NYS OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez told Riverhead High School’s Class of 2016, during the the live Talk2Prevent campaign launch. “These celebrations can have lethal consequences if they involve alcohol or drugs. This campaign urges parents and guardians to have open, regular discussions, in advance of these milestone events, so that our young people know just how dangerous these substances can be and they can do their part to keep themselves and their friends safe during this time of year.”

Riverhead High School was chosen as the launch site for this campaign because of its implementation of a Pre-Prom Red Carpet Event for the past three years that successfully reduced youth access to alcohol before and during the Senior Prom; it’s a collaborative effort between Riverhead CAP, the Riverhead Community Coalition for Safe and Drug-Free Youth, Riverhead High School and Peconic Bay Medical Center. A full description of the event is also featured on the Talk2Prevent.ny.gov website here.

Commissioner González-Sánchez recognized coalition members for their efforts and presented Making A Difference Awards to Riverhead CAP executive Director Felicia Scocozza, PBMC president Andrew Mitchell, Riverhead Schools Superintendent Nancy Carney, Riverhead Police Officer Dennis Cavanagh, Riverhead High School principal Dr. Charles Regan and Riverhead Town Councilman John Dunleavy. In addition, graduating CAP Peer Leaders Stephanie Ambrosio and Sam Dunn addressed their peers during the event, pointing out the risks of underage drinking, and received Making A Difference Awards from the Commissioner as well. Click here to view the photos.

The Riverhead Community Coalition for Safe and Drug-Free Youth will be running the Talk2Prevent PSAs in English and Spanish, as well as their own Youth Coalition PSA about the Social Host Law, on local radio stations during June as part of its Summer Safety Media Campaign. The goal of the campaign is to educate parents about the risks and consequences of underage drinking and substance use, and the importance of discussing these risks often with their children. Although most parents assume their children know how they feel about underage drinking and drug use, nearly 52 percent of NYS students in grades 7-12 reported that their parents had never talked to them about the dangers of underage drinking, according to the OASAS Youth Development Survey 2014-15 Report. Research suggests that kids whose parents talk to them about underage drinking and drug use are up to 50 percent less likely to use.

The Talk2Prevent campaign aims to help to reverse the following statistics:

• 75 percent of high school seniors in New York State have used alcohol (OASAS Youth Development Survey 2014-15 Report)
• 24 percent of high school juniors and seniors engaged in binge drinking during the past 2 weeks (OASAS Youth Development Survey 2014-15 Report)
• One in 10 teens say they have driven under the influence of alcohol during the summer (Liberty Mutual/SADD, 2013)
• 22 percent of 7th – 12th graders have smoked marijuana (OASAS Youth Development Survey 2014-15 Report)
• 5 percent of students in grades 7th – 12th have used a prescription pain reliever non-medically (OASAS Youth Development Survey 2014-15 Report).

For more information, visit Talk2Prevent.ny.gov.