Project HELP (Health, Education and Life Programs) Long Island, a signature project created by the Kiwanis Club of Manhasset-Port Washington, has placed its stake in the ground and is taking on the fight against the drug and alcohol crisis facing local communities. The result is an unprecedented speaker series of national and local experts scheduled at the Port Washington Public Library.
The rates for overdosing and death are staggering and on the rise – from 16,849 in 1999 to 70,237 in 2017, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This crisis has come to every community across the country. Project HELP intends to meet this emergency head-on by providing education, support and awareness to anyone being affected on any level. Not only a crisis for the young – more than 1 million adults sixty-five and older have a substance use disorder in the U.S.
The next Project HELP Long Island speaker event will take place on Tuesday, July 9 at the Port Washington Public Library with nationally-known expert Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds. Reynolds, chief executive officer of the Family and Children’s Association is a member of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Adult Marijuana Working Task Force. He will be addressing, “Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders, Treatment, and Recovery.” His presentation will take place in the Latham Meeting Room from 7 – 8:30 p.m. and includes a question and answer session. Several mental health and substance abuse experts will be available to provide additional information. There will be additional resources provided with information on how and where to seek help both inside and outside the room.
Project HELP Long Island was created by the Kiwanis Club of Manhasset-Port Washington, an international and national service organization that seeks to help and impact the lives of children, one child and one community at a time. The club meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month for a lunch meeting at the Port Washington Yacht Club from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. All are welcome and the cost of the lunch is $30.00.
This evening is free to everyone and there is no need to reserve a seat. Should you have any questions or concerns, please email Project HELP at projecthelplongisland@gmail.com. Like facebook.com/projecthelplongisland to stay informed of future events and information.
Submitted by Project HELP Long Island.
