Prevention through Connection
February 2016
Medical? Recreational?
Understanding Marijuana in 2016 
  
There is much public debate regarding states legalizing  marijuana for recreational or medical use. For those states like Colorado and Washington that have legalized use of both, statistics reveal steady increases in teen and young adult use of marijuana that exceed national averages 

From candy, sodas and snacks infused with marijuana (edibles) to marijuana oil "dabs" that are vaped, today's teens are exposed to THC levels far higher than years past putting them at risk for unintended levels of intoxication and consequential health issues such as psychosis, overdoses on edibles and impaired motor skills. In addition, many of our young people believe marijuana use does not pose a risk to their health as more than half of Manhasset's 12th grade students do not believe they are at risk of harming themselves if they smoke marijuana once or twice a week. In Manhasset, as students' perception of risk decreases, student marijuana use increases  [ 2015 Bach Harrison Prevention Needs Assessment Survey Student Results   (2015 BHPNASSR)] . 
 
Not only are there health risks associated with marijuana use, studies show that heavy use of marijuana by adolescents reduces IQ by as much as eight points 
(NIDA, Volkow). 
In addition, youth with poor academic results are more than four times as likely to have used marijuana in the past year than youth with an average of higher grades ( U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health). 

Please join us for the timely presentation of Understanding Marijuana in 2016, on Thursday, February 25th at 7:30 p.m. at the Manhasset Public Library. The program will feature Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., author, consultant, assistant professor and past advisor on drug policy to three U.S. presidential administrations. Dr. Sabet will discuss current trends and issues in marijuana use and how it impacts our teens, schools and communities.  Dr. Sabet will also speak to students at 3:30 p.m. at Manhasset High School. 


With one in four of our 12th grade students smoking marijuana in the past 30 days and almost 40% having used marijuana in their lifetime (2015 BHPNASSR), CASA will dedicate its Thursday, March 3rd Coalition Sector Meeting to discuss the root causes of marijuana use by Manhasset teens.  We welcome your participation at this meeting as we strive to develop a plan of action for reducing teen marijuana use in the community.
 
Special thanks to our Power of Parenting Series sponsors Senator Jack M. Martins and the Manhasset Public Library for their understanding of this most important public health message for our families and residents. 

For more information about Understanding Marijuana in 2016 or the  Power of Parenting Series, you can contact Manhasset CASA at 516-267-7548. For more resources about what you need to know to talk with your teen about marijuana, 
click here for the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Marijuana Talk Kit.

Manhasset CASA Executive Board
Want to be a Parent Mentor?
Adventures in Learning Needs your Help
 

Adventures in Learning (AIL) is an after-school educational and enrichment program dedicated to improving the lives of children in need of after-school care and instruction. Housed in the Hagedorn Community Center at the Manhasset/Great Neck EOC, the program provides a warm and caring environment where children develop homework skills while benefiting from computer instruction, literary and math programs, and cultural activities.


AIL seeks your help to partner with their program's  parents to form friendships and share parenting ideas that will 
  • Promote solid family relationships that are critically important to children from infancy through the teen years
  • Assist parents gain new insights into parenting skills that will directly affect their children's performance and success in school and beyond
  • Help parents address the issues commonly faced by all parents in our culture, and together create solutions for the problems they have with their children
  • Connect parents with information, support and community awareness  internally as they seek to understand and respect one another
  • Promote greater acceptance and understanding of diverse cultures and socio-economic groups within the community
  • Increase parent effectiveness as advocates for their families.
Parent mentors would have bimonthly meetings and also participate in parent related activities that address child development issues, educational issues, nutritional cooking instruction, language lessons and other topics related to family life. The parents might also speak by phone once a week to nurture the friendship and support for one another.  If you would like to become a parent mentor, contact Diana L. Holden, Executive Director at 516-365-7131 or 516-767-9235 or email her at [email protected].  
Join Us for Coffee:  Register Here!
Help Your Teen Make the Best Choices

Join us for Coffee & Conversation as we Navigate the Teen Years and  Help Teens Make the Best Choices in Difficult Situations.  The small group meeting for parents with teens will be facilitated by Lara Hunter, LCSW, National Director of the Red Watch Band Program and Coordinator of the Alcohol & Drug Clinic and Outreach Services at Stony Brook University's Center for Prevention and Outreach! 

Registration is required through SignUpGenius where you can also find location information for the event! This coffee is limited to 20 parents.
SAVING THE LIFE OF A LOVED ONE
NARCAN Training & Opioid Education Program

In response to the growing heroin epidemic on Long Island, on Wednesday, March 9th at 7:00 p.m. at the Manhasset Public Library, Manhasset CASA will host Saving the Life of A Loved One: A NARCAN & OPIOID Education & Training Program.  The program is sponsored by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano & Nassau County Legislators Richard Nicolello and Ellen Birnbaum.

REGISTRATION IS LIMITED AND RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. 
Contact Eden Laikin at  (516) 571-6105 or by email at [email protected] .
Three Great Positive Alternatives in Manhasset!
Fundamental Sports Football, Girl Inspired & Tween Scene!

Fundamental Sports begins its spring season of flag football on Friday, April 1st for both girls and boys featuring a Junior Division (9-11 years old), Senior Division (12-­14 years old) and its High School Division (15 - ­18 years old)!  The program meets on Friday nights at Manhasset Valley Park or Harbor Links Field Number 4 in Port Washington. The program is designed to help teach boys and girls the basic skills and values of sport, hone his or her skills and promote the principles of teamwork, strong effort and sportsmanship!  For more information go to  www.fundamental­sports.com or email info@fundamental­sports.com or call (516) 900­2FUN.

Girl Inspired's Friday Night Film Chats are scheduled for Friday, March 18 and Friday, April 15th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The  Girl Inspired "Friday Night Film Chats" provide a safe space for girls to engage modern culture and relevant life issues through film and develop new friendships through inspired discussion and fellowship.  Please contact Rev. Lori Burgess  at  [email protected]  if interested. 

Tween Scene at the Manhasset Public Library is hosting ZUMBA classes on Mondays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the community room for all tweens (grades 4-8).  Licensed Zumba instructor Andrea Wool will coach our tweens through 4 sessions of custom-designed programs that blends dance-fitness routines with fun games and high-energy music.

Register online ( click here) by scrolling to the library's Event Keeper (under March 7th).  Look for the "Register" button.  Please note that you will need a library card number.

If your organization, agency or house of worship offers positive alternatives for teens, contact Manhasset CASA at (516­) 267-7548 to list in our newsletter!
Thank You for your Fundraising Support!
Exercise: Another Healthy Alternative

Thank you to our three local philanthropic fitness studios who joined together this January for a Fitness Fundraiser for CASA:  Evolution Pilates of Port Washington, Pure Barre of Manhasset and Ryde @ EPhysique of Manhasset! 





Teens 16+ are welcome at all classes including Friday 4:30 p.m. Teens receive a 15% student discount 


 
Ryde @ EPhysique of Manhasset:
Mondays at 4:30 p.m. Teen Cycle
Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. starting 3/9: New Teen Row

Teens receive reduced rate: 
$20.00 walk-in or pack of 4 classes for 60.00

For more information, please visit each studio's website: 

Evolution Pilates: www.pilatesevolution.com
Ryde @ EPhysique:   www.rydeephysique.com
Manhasset Community 
Coalition Against Substance Abuse (CASA), Inc. 
P.O. Box 392
Manhasset, NY 11030
(516) 267-7548
  
Manhasset CASA exists as a resource to reduce the illegal, underage use of alcohol, tobacco, & other drugs among its youth, before they are in trouble, by connecting parents, schools and the community as partners in the common goal.  In 2013, CASA was honored to receive its second five year Drug Free Communities Support Grant (DFC) by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).  Our goals are to reduce substance abuse among youth and, over time, among adults; and to establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, private nonprofit agencies, and federal, state, and local governments to support the efforts of our community coalition to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth.