To 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."

Criminal Impersonation

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

Franklin Square East 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.

Funding for Safe and Drug Free School Cut

“For the last year, I have been working with my colleagues in Congress and the Administration to avert drastic school safety cuts the President proposed in his 2010 budget. Sadly, a few weeks ago, it was officially reported that Long Island schools will lose more than $1.5 million next year because of the elimination of the state grants portion of the Safe and Drug-Free School (SDFS) program. I am greatly concerned by these cuts and have formally asked the Administration to provide an explanation for the cuts and what they plan to do to assist our schools provide a safe zone for our children.

In Nassau County over the last few years, there was a 91 percent spike in arrests on heroin-related crime. We have also had a problem with gang violence. While I appreciate that the funding level for national SDFS programs has increased, the cuts to the state grants piece is a big loss to our schools. While the funding, when spread throughout the various school districts, might seem small, it is extremely important to the schools and will cause school administrators to eliminate programs. Particularly in this tough economic climate, schools are already faced with difficult choices.

Schools should be safe places for our children to learn, without the fear of physical or verbal harm. Unfortunately it sometimes can be the opposite. In recent months, the national news has reported a number of suicides that raise bullying and harassment as major school safety issues. Jennie Shapira of North Woodmere was recently named as a Semifinalist of the Intel Science Talent Search 2010. She surveyed high school students about their experiences with bullying and found some striking results. Ms. Shapira concluded that younger students, who had been through anti-bullying programs, were more likely than older students to report harassment to school authorities. These results show that instruction is vital for combating bullying and harassment in schools and promoting academic achievement.

Soon, I will be reintroducing the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (“SAVE”) Act which emphasizes the need for collection of law enforcement data to supplement the survey data the federal government already collects. Having said that, student surveys, like the ones collected by Ms. Shapira, can provide valuable information specifically because they come from students and I would applaud efforts to support such student surveys.

Regardless of political party, we all want our children to have a safe, drug-free school. And I will continue to work to ensure that in the future, students, like Jennie, win awards for research such as creating a new computer program or discovering a new star rather discussing the need for anti-bullying programs. We, as adults, should work together to create safe learning environments for our children.”

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy
Friday January 22, 2010

Town of Hempstead Go Direct Month

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has proclaimed February "Go Direct Month" and is encouraging seniors who receive federal benefits, such as social security income, to use direct deposit.

"Hempstead Town is very proud to join dozens of other municipalities throughout the country in declaring February 'Go Direct Month,'" said Supervisor Kate Murray.

Go Direct is a national campaign, sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Bank, designed to motivate more seniors to direct deposit their social security checks and other federal benefits. Direct deposit eliminates the risk of stolen checks and forgeries and helps protect people from identity theft. Go Direct works in conjunction with local municipalities such as the Town of Hempstead, so seniors are informed about the program by an entity that they already know and trust.

"Identity theft is a serious crime that can wreak havoc with your finances, ruin your credit and impact your daily life," stated Supervisor Murray. "Not only is it extremely convenient to have monthly social security income checks directly deposited into bank accounts, it eliminates the risk of stolen checks and forgeries."

According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, electronic payments are more secure, reliable and cost effective than paper checks because they help to protect against check theft and fraud, they provide easier access to funds during emergencies and natural disasters and provide citizens with more control over their money.

"I encourage all seniors to consider having their federally-issued checks directly deposited so that their money and identity do not end up in the wrong hands," concluded Murray.

To sign up for direct deposit, please call the toll-free helpline at (800) 333-1795, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or visit GoDirect.org.

The Go Direct campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Federal Reserve Banks. The Go Direct and Direct Express logos, Go Direct and Direct Express are service marks of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service (used with permission). The Direct Express Debit MasterCard card is issued by Comerica Bank, pursuant to a license by MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated.

Hate Crimes

In the late summer and early fall of 2009, 39 teens from all over Nassau County volunteered to participate in a plain, straight, uninhibited video about hate crime. Teens talking to teens about what a hate crime is and the real world ramifications of committing a hate crime. This video visually demonstrates that turning hateful thoughts about a group into action is Crossing the Line

http://www.pjads.com/ncpd-hatevideo.htm

This video was produced for the Nassau County Police Department, under the auspices of Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and Nassau County Commissioner of Police Lawrence W. Mulvey, which is only part of a greater educational project created by bias crime experts and Nassau County educators.
For more information about this program please email: communityaffairs@pdcn.org

Town of Hempstead Haiti Relief Efforts

Hempstead Town To Collect Non-Monetary Items For Haiti Relief Efforts
January 21, 2010

Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby and Councilman Edward Ambrosino, along with the entire town board, have assembled collection sites throughout Hempstead Town, encouraging residents to support the ongoing relief efforts in the wake of the recent earthquake disaster that has ravaged Haiti.

"Residents want to help in any way they can, and for some that means donating items," said Supervisor Murray. "We want to assist residents in their efforts to provide meaningful support to our brothers and sisters in Haiti."

The Town of Hempstead will be setting up 11 locations throughout the town as collection sites. Those locations are:
1. Hempstead Town Hall, One Washington Street, Hempstead (ground floor and first floor)
2. The lobby of 200 North Franklin Street, Hempstead
3. Town of Hempstead Sanitation Administration Building, Merrick Road, Merrick
4. Elmont Road Park, Elmont
5. Averill Boulevard Park, Elmont
6. Hendrickson Avenue Park, Elmont
7. Dutch Broadway Park, Elmont
8. Uniondale Avenue Park, Uniondale
9. Smith Street Park, Uniondale
10. Cedar Street Park, Uniondale
11. Levittown Hall, Levittown Parkway, Hicksville

Items that are being collected for donation include bottled water, non-perishable foods, bedding, tarps, collapsible water containers, summer clothing, disposable gloves, toiletries, baby supplies, flashlights, batteries and over-the-counter medical supplies. The town web site at www.toh.li will provide the listing of items to donate as well as a complete listing of relief agencies and their phone numbers to make a financial donation.

In addition, the Town of Hempstead has partnered with the Elmont, Uniondale and Levittown School Districts in relief collection efforts for non-monetary donations. "The community of Uniondale has suffered many losses," noted Councilwoman Goosby, "and Hempstead Town remains committed to helping them in this time of great need."

"The people who survived the earthquake have lost just about everything and are living in very challenging conditions," said Councilman Ambrosino.

"Anything that our residents can donate will have a positive impact on the lives of those who have lost so much," concluded Murray.