Welcome to YES Community Counseling Center’s PACT E-newsletter 

delivering updates on all things PREVENTION and PACT's Programs and Outreach! Learn more about PACT at pactyes.org or LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

December proved to be a critical month for Nassau County's children and communities. On December 7th, both the Town of Hempstead and the Town of Oyster Bay Town Boards voted 7 - 0 to OPT-OUT of New York State's adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries and on-site consumption businesses in its unincorporated areas. PACT School Superintendents and members of the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents (NCCSS) were front and center delivering powerful messages to both boards to OPT-OUT.

In attendance to protect the health and safety of our children and communities, were Dr. Toni McDonald, Superintendent, Levittown Public Schools, and NCCSS President; Paul Defendini, Superintendent, Farmingdale Public Schools, and NCCSS Southeast Quadrant Leader; Brian Conboy, Interim Superintendent, Massapequa Public Schools; and Dave Schneider, Superintendent Bethpage Union Free School District. We are grateful for your collaboration and dedication to the welfare of the children of Nassau County.

Nassau County Superintendents and School Personnel can click here to monitor other New York State counties', villages', and towns' status. We also encourage everyone to go to the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) website to keep apprised of upcoming OCM meetings where new regulations in the sale and service of cannabis are decided in real-time.

Let's continue to work together to make sure our children and communities come first … before profit.

While Nassau County's Public Schools' Student Codes of Conduct advise youth marijuana possession/use in school or on property is prohibited, are there visible school building signs informing adults that cannabis use on school property is prohibited? Is there a school (or if you're a business/company) policy noting adult use and/or possession of alcohol, tobacco, vape, and marijuana products are not permissible on school property or at school-sponsored events (or business functions) held off school property?

Click here to learn why policy development/promotion has its advantages.

PACT partner, Massapequa Takes Action Coalition, recently purchased new outdoor signs for Massapequa Public Schools' nine buildings. The signage informs visitors that marijuana and other substances are prohibited on school property. PACT can also help your district! Contact Cathy Samuels at 516-799-3203 x131 to discuss further.

YES Community Counseling Center and PACT are developing targeted parent/caregiver educational resources and will promote a new 2022 parent and community social marketing campaign to address the dangers of marijuana use (and access) to our children:



• Marijuana Talk Kit for Parents and Caregivers (Partnership to End Addiction)
• Talking with Your Child About Marijuana (SAMHSA)
• What You Need to Know about marijuana use among teens (CDC)
• Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know (NIDA)

The New York State PTA Association encourages parents across New York State to contact their local mayor, executive, supervisor, or Board to say NO to Marijuana Shops and Lounges in their Community. If you know of parents living in other communities that have yet to OPT-OUT, please connect with them and send NYSPTA's outreach letter. You can click here to download and forward to your friends and family.

Time is of the essence as

local officials and government bodies MUST act by December 31, 2021! 

PACT, LCAC and MTAC continue to remind parents on social media and the web that its important for them to send clear messages of disapproval regarding underage drinking. On an average day in December, approximately 11,500 12-17-year-olds drink alcohol for the first time compared to 5,000 to 8,000 new alcohol users during other months (SAMHSA). In Nassau County, some kids have their first drink of alcohol before the age of fourteen (2014-15 NYSOASAS YDS)!

Alcohol and drug use at an early age is an important predictor of the development of a substance use disorder later on in life. The majority of those who have a substance use disorder started using before age eighteen and developed their disorder by age twenty (National Institute on Drug Abuse). Parents are important influencers when it comes to their children making the decision to have their first drink of alcohol. Over 80% of young people ages 10–18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink (SAMHSA).