“Too Good For Drugs Program”

Mangano & Mulvey Announce
Implementation of “Too Good For Drugs Program”


Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey were joined by Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence’s (LICADD) Executive Director Jeffrey Reynolds today at a press conference where they announced the implementation of the “Too Good for Drugs Program,” which was created in 1978 by the Mendez Foundation.

“Too Good For Drugs” (TGFD) is a school based prevention program for kindergarten through 12th grade. It builds on students’ resiliency by teaching them how to be socially competent and autonomous problem solvers. TGFD K-8 has a separate, developmentally appropriate curriculum for each grade level, which include emotional competency skills, social and resistance skills, goal setting and decision making skills. TGFD from 9th to 12th grade is designed to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors related to alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among students. Each curriculum builds on earlier grade levels, an instructional design which enables students to learn important skills sequentially and retain them year after year.

The “Too Good For Drugs Program” is an evidenced based program that has been widely recognized for its successes and is currently in over 2,500 school districts, substance abuse treatment agencies and community organizations in 50 states. Studies conducted in elementary, middle and high schools have evidenced positive effects on risk and protective factors relating to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use/violence. The TGFD program was effective for students regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, and ethnic background. Positive effects on substance use and protective factors continued to be evidenced both short and long term.

This initiative is the County Executive’s third prong in an approach to combating the current heroin epidemic that is claiming the lives of many residents here in Nassau. The County Executive announced on February 11th the first two prongs of his approach to combating heroin here in Nassau which are: his Enforcement initiative entitled Operation H.A.L.T. (Heroin Abuse Location Targeting), which targets heroin users traveling in and out of the county to purchase heroin; and his Awareness initiative which was the creation and dissemination of an ad campaign which is aimed at getting the attention of parents about the current heroin epidemic.

“Just as you can not spend your way out of deficit, we have learned you can not arrest your way out of a heroin epidemic,” said County Executive Mangano. “Education is one of the best ways to prevent our children from heading down a very dangerous path. The implementation of this proven program in our community will help give our children the tools they need to resist this very hazardous lifestyle that often leads to tragic circumstances.”

“Today (March 1st) and tomorrow (March 2nd) the Mendez Foundation will provide training to many school officials, substance abuse professionals and law enforcement personnel at our Nassau County Police Academy,” said Commissioner Mulvey. “Attendees will be trained to implement the program, including the program components, and will cover how the lessons are set-up and the importance of delivering with fidelity. In addition, the training will provide sample lessons delivered by the trainers and by the participants. The two day training program will be paid for using Nassau County Police Asset Forfeiture funds.”

“This proactive approach to combating the current heroin epidemic will allow us to educate our children from with age appropriate material that will yield results for years to come,” said County Executive Mangano. “I would like to thank LICADD for their advice and assistance as we continue to work together towards eradicating heroin use from our communities.”

LICADD’s Executive Director Jeffrey Reynolds stated: "Nassau County clearly understands the need to both address the supply side of our current heroin crisis and the demand side simultaneously. Too Good For Drugs starts the educational process early and gives young people the knowledge and skills necessary to avoid alcohol and other drugs as they approach adolescence. We thank County Executive Mangano and the Nassau County Police Department for bringing this evidence-based intervention to Long Island. We know it will help save lives."

Knights of Columbus 12 Apostles Council

St Patrick's Day Dinner Dance

St. Catherine School Auditorium
Date: Saturday March 13, 2010
Time: 7 p.m. 11 p.m.

Enjoy the music of C&T Entertainment

Menu

Corned Beef and Cabbage
Boiled Potatoes and Rye Bread
Zeppoli and Sfingi

Tickets are $25 per person
$10 children 12 and under

To Purchase Tickets:
Joe C. 352-2902
Angelo 361-7371
Joe A. 358-3902

Project 21 Arrest

Every month the 5th Precinct Pop Unit goes out into the Community and visits stores who sell alcohol. This program named "Project 21" monitors the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors. On February 25, numerous locations were checked out and one arrest was made in Franklin Square to a merchant who had no liquor license but sold outdated beer to an officer. Future visits will follow on any reported locations.

Please contact the Pop Unit at 573-6570 or ncpd5thpopsd17@gmail.com if you have any leads, information or concerns.

T Mobile's Filing Second Application

COMMUNITY MEETING

TOPIC: T-Mobile’s second application before the TOH Board of Appeals to have a cell facility at 340 Dogwood Avenue, Franklin Square (Romeo’s Pizza is in the shopping center). T-Mobile lost the first case at the same property. WHY SHOULD THE COMMUNITY GIVE UP WHAT IT HAS WON?

PLACE: Franklin Square Public Library Meeting Room
WHEN: Tuesday, March 16th at 7:00 P.M.

ALL ARE INVITED

Franklin Square United Neighborhood Association, Inc.
Ron Lipsky
212.695.3060

Comments can be made by clicking on comment below.

Charged with Impersonating and Officer

Fifth Squad detectives report the details of an arrest for Criminal Impersonation that occurred on February 8, 2010 at 12:10 A.M. in Valley Stream.
According to detectives, a 20 year old female was driving home from Glen Oaks, Queens, when she was in the vicinity of Boden Ave. and Fir St., she noticed a white vehicle with flashing lights following her vehicle. Fearing for her safety she called her father on her cell phone. As she drove down the block she lives on, her father came out to meet her. The victim pulled into her driveway followed by the defendant. As her father and the victim approached the vehicle, the operator placed his hand in the area of his waistband and stated, “I am a Police Officer, back off”. Fearing for their safety, the father and daughter fled into their house. The defendant drove his vehicle with red lights flashing, over the front lawn and westbound on Fir St.
On 2/9/10 detectives made an arrest and the person was charged with Criminal Impersonation 1st Degree and will be arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on 2/10/10.
Details by: Det. Rios/ 5th Squad

East Franklin Square Library Vote

Murray, Darcy And Ambrosino Announce East Franklin Square Library District Vote
February 22, 2010

Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilmen James Darcy and Ed Ambrosino have announced that residents who live in the East Franklin Square Library District will have an opportunity to select a host library for the next five years (commencing January 1, 2011) in an upcoming special election. Neighbors in the district will be selecting between Elmont Memorial Library and the Malverne Public Library in an election to be held on Thursday, March 4, 2010.

"We encourage residents of the library funding district to take part in this special election to choose a host library," said Murray. "Libraries are intellectual and cultural beacons in our communities. We are glad to be able to facilitate library services for neighbors who would otherwise not have access to a hometown library."

Murray, Darcy and Ambrosino introduced a measure before the Hempstead Town Board, facilitating the March 4th election. Without an election, residents would not continue to have the opportunity to have library services and select a host library.

During the library vote, which will take place from 12 noon until 9 p.m. at regular polling stations, residents will be approving a budget along with selecting a library. The proposed budgets for 2011 are as follows:

HOST LIBRARY
Elmont Memorial Library - $219,196.92
Malverne Public Library - $307,175.46

Library budgets will be adjusted for cost of living increases each year during the term of the five year contract. Only persons who are registered to vote with the Board of Elections and who live in the East Franklin Square Library District are eligible to vote. Registered residents will receive notification by mail with details regarding the vote, including the contract budget and budgetary impact.

"We are committed to ensuring that residents continue to enjoy all of the educational, cultural and social benefits that go along with full library services," said Councilman Darcy.

"Don't miss this opportunity to select your hometown library," concluded Councilman Ambrosino.

LIRR Free E Mail Alerts

Due to impending snow storm customers are urged to check LIRR service before heading to train stations by monitoring the LIRR Website, listening to the latest news broadcasts and/or signing up for our free E-Alerts www.mta.info/lirr