Working Together to
prevent substance misuse and promote healthy families
Summer 2022 E-Newsletter
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Welcome to Massapequa Takes Action Coalition's e-newsletter designed to connect parents and residents to MTAC's initiatives, programs and news! Please join our coalition, visit our website or like us on Facebook page to learn more about how to be a part of the solution to prevent substance misuse!
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Continue Enjoying the Summer ... Safely! |
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Summer continues to be a wonderful season for outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends. When it comes to adult activities including alcohol, MTAC encourages all parents and residents to always focus on healthy and safety measures to protect our own and loved ones' health and prevent underage drinking. |
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Remember: Swimmers Can Get in Over Their Heads if Drinking Alcohol. Alcohol impairs judgment and increases risk-taking, a dangerous combination for swimmers. Even experienced swimmers may venture out farther than they should and not be able to make it back to shore, or they may not notice how chilled they’re getting and develop hypothermia. Surfers could become overconfident and try to ride a wave beyond their abilities. Even around a pool, alcohol can have tragic consequences. Inebriated divers may collide with the diving board or dive where the water is too shallow.
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Boaters Can Lose Their Bearings
The U.S. Coast Guard reports that alcohol consumption contributes to 18% of boating deaths in which the primary cause is known, making alcohol the leading known contributor of fatal boating accidents. A boat operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher is 14 times more likely to be killed in a boating accident than an operator with no alcohol in their system. Reaching a 0.08 percent BAC would require about 4 drinks in 2 hours for an average-size woman (171 lbs.) or 5 drinks in 2 hours for an average-size man (198 lbs.). It is important to note that the odds of a fatal crash begin to increase with the first drink. In addition, alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision, and reaction time. It can also increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion. If problems arise, intoxicated boaters are ill-equipped to respond quickly and find solutions. For passengers, intoxication can lead to slips on deck, falls overboard, or accidents at the dock.
Drivers Can Go Off Course
The summer holidays are some of the most dangerous times of the year to be on the road. When on vacation, drivers may be traveling an unfamiliar route or hauling a boat or camper, with the distraction of pets and children in the car. Adding alcohol to the mix puts the lives of the driver and everyone in the car, as well as other people on the road, at risk.
Be smart this summer—think before you drink. Avoiding alcoholic beverages while piloting a boat, driving a car, exploring the wilderness, and swimming or surfing can also help keep you and your loved ones safe.
If you're serving alcohol, be sure to:
- Provide a variety of healthy foods and snacks;
- Help your guests get home safely—use designated drivers and taxis; and
- If you are a parent, understand the underage drinking laws—and set a good example
Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
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So What's in that Drink Exactly? |
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Summer cocktails may be stronger, more caloric, and more expensive than you realize. You may be watching what you eat so you can fit into those summer clothes, but watching what you drink can keep you safe.
NIAAA’s alcohol calculators can help you assess calories, drink size, alcohol spending, blood alcohol levels, and the number of standard drinks in each cocktail. CLICK HERE to learn more about how much alcohol is really in your drink? How many calories? or What's the cost to you per week, month or year?
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Massapequa Elks/MTAC Honor SADD Grads! |
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Two Massapequa High School 2022 graduating seniors, Alyssa Papasodero and Anthony Pereira, were recently awarded a $250 scholarship each from the Massapequa Elks Lodge #2162 for their work to prevent youth substance use in the Massapequas. Members of Massapequa Takes Action Coalition also recognized the graduates for helping youth navigate healthy decisions in the Massapequas. The Elks scholarship and MTAC Recognition Award are given annually to outstanding Massapequa High School Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club leaders who go above and beyond their volunteerism to prevent youth drug use and destructive decision making.
To learn more about the Massapequa Elks Lodge #24 Drug Free Awareness Program or to become a member, contact Margaret Motis at 516-798-2162.
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Massapequa High School 2022 graduates Alyssa Papasodero, President SADD and Anthony Pereira, Treasurer of SADD, were recently awarded a $250 scholarship from the Massapequa Elks and recognized by Massapequa Takes Action Coalition. |
Massapequa Elks, MTAC and Massapequa Public Schools congratulated the Elks Scholarship and MTAC Recognition Award winners! Standing Front Row Right to Left: Margaret Motis, Drug Awareness Committee Chair; Anthony Pereira, Treasurer of SADD; Alyssa Papasodero, President SADD; Nancy Parente, Exalted Ruler, Massapequa Elks Lodge #2162 Exalted Ruler; Joanne Waters, MHS Social Worker and MTAC Co-Chair; Dr. Thomas Fasano, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Massapequa Public Schools; Back Row Left to Right: Barbara Lowell, Principal, MHS; Adrienne LoPresti, Executive Director, YES Community Counseling Center, MTAC Treasurer; Christina Stomber, SADD Club Advisor, Art Educator K-12, MHS SADD Club Adviser & Student Council Co-Adviser; Cathy Samuels, MTAC Program Director.
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Massapequa Elks/MTAC Host
Dangers of Vaping Edu & Narcan Training
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Light of Hope Remembrance Ceremony |
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Protect Our Future: Dispose of Rx Drugs! |
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Couldn't Make it to our Programs?
Tune In to MTAC's YOUTUBE Channel!
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MTAC’s Virtual Town Hall discussion, led by Kathleen Coletta, LCSW-R, identifies the keys to developing and maintaining optimum mental health for both parents and children. The discussion also focuses on understanding the strong connection of parental mental health to our children’s mental health. Kathleen Coletta is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with YES Community Counseling Center having over fourteen years clinical experience working with individuals, families and groups. According to The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory: Protecting Youth Mental Health, mental health challenges in children, adolescents, and young adults are real and widespread. Since the pandemic began, rates of psychological distress among young people, including symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders, have increased. CLICK HERE to see this outstanding presentation!
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David Fagan, MD, Vice Chairman, Pediatric Ambulatory Administration, Department of Pediatrics-Northwell Health, Cohen's Children's Medical Center; Assistant Professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. discusses the youth/young adult e-cigarette use; health harms of e-cigarettes and strategies to address adolescent/young adult e-cigarette use. CLICK HERE to listen & view this informative program!
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Positive Youth Alternatives |
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Massapequa Public Library
Massapequa Public Library has a lot in store for Massapequas' teens (grades 6-12) providing a variety of virtual youth programming!
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Teen Advisory Board
Bar Harbour - The Loft
Wednesday, August 24, 2022 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Help the librarians plan programs, create displays, find new books to buy, and more! We'll also be doing community service projects at some meetings, and we'll even play a game or two when we have time! Grades 6-12.
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Dungeons & Dragons
8/25/2022 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Central Avenue Meeting Room
Fight monsters, solve puzzles, cause mayhem, and make new friends in our brand new D&D group! Embark on an Adventure!
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The mission of Massapequa Takes Action Coalition (MTAC) is to prevent and reduce substance misuse and high-risk behaviors in the Massapequas. Since 1997, we have been collaborating with Massapequa Public Schools, parents, residents, law enforcement, clergy, private and non-profit agencies, businesses, and federal, state and local governments to enhance our efforts. This e-newsletter was developed under grant number NH28CE002530-04 from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The views, opinions, and content of this publication are those of the authors and contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of the CDC and ONDCP.
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