Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, in partnership with the Nassau County Office of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency and Developmental Disabilities Services, has created a new guide for parents of students in 4th and 5th grades, entitled “Is my Child at Risk of Misusing or Abusing Drugs? A Parent’s Guide to Accessing Help.”
A copy of the booklet has been sent to the superintendent in each Nassau school district with instructions for how to order more.
“We think this is the first booklet of its kind in Nassau and we’re offering it to all 56 Nassau school districts,” Mangano said. “One of the ways Nassau County is battling the opiate epidemic — and trying to stop the scourge of overdose deaths — is through prevention and early intervention initiatives like this one.”
The eight-page booklet contains a list of signs and tips for those who think their child may be at-risk for abusing substances or is already beginning to “experiment” with drugs. The guide offers a list of licensed agencies and professionals across Long Island that work with children under the age of 18.
“We hope this initiative can serve as one of many drug awareness activities that school districts participate in for the annual National Red Ribbon Campaign, held during the last week of October,” Mangano said. The 2017 Red Ribbon Week theme is Your Future Is Key, So Stay Drug Free.
This booklet can be accessed on the Nassau County website, at: www.nassaucountyny.gov/parentsguide.
