“To be honored by an organization such as LICADD is humbling,” said Mr. Mangano. “The work this group does is more important than ever, and Nassau County is proud to be a partner in helping LICADD accomplish its mission.”

LICADD’s Executive Director, Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds commented, “County Executive Mangano understands the magnitude of the crisis facing Nassau families and has taken immediate steps to provide effective solutions to the current drug epidemic. We are so grateful to Mr. Mangano for making the safety and welfare of our children a top priority for Nassau County.”

For over 30 years business, community leaders, treatment providers and educators have joined forces to support the R. Brinkley Smithers Golf Tournament to raise funds for LICADD’s alcohol and drug intervention programs. LICADD’s Board Director and Tournament Co-Chair Jeffery Capazzi noted, “We need the resources raised by this tournament more than ever before as we struggle to save our children and family members. It is unthinkable that there is one death per day due to drug overdoses on Long Island”.

Golf Committee Co-Chair Michael Brennan, encouraged everyone to join LICADD at the Creek and Piping Rock Clubs for great day of golf at two of the finest courses on Long Island noting, “your support may just help save a life.” LICADD’s golf tournament is one of the nonprofit organization’s key fundraising events and organizers hope to raise more than $280,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales and onsite auctions/raffles. Playing opportunities to this year’s tournament are $750 and are available online or via phone at 516-747-2606. Sponsorships start at $1,000 and all event proceeds support LICADD’s life-saving services.

Teri Kroll from Copiague, who lost her 23-year-old son Timothy last October to a drug overdose stated, “Saving a life should never be a criminal offense.”

Kevin S., 21 and now in recovery from drug abuse, recounted how he was left for dead following an overdose, abandoned by his friends, who feared arrest. He was found alone, unconscious in a deserted school yard and was given medical assistance. He calls himself one of the “lucky ones” as most needlessly die alone.

Edward Balzer and his wife Cindy, who lost their son to an overdose last October, pleaded with lawmakers to pass 911 Good Samaritan legislation. “We can’t wait for the next legislative session,” said Mr. Balzer. “Summer is here and we need to do all we can to ensure that our sons and daughters do not die senseless deaths. We owe our children more than to just let them die, when a drug overdose can be easily prevented.”

This measure will provide limited immunity from prosecution for possession of small amounts of drugs or alcohol for those who call for medical assistance for themselves or someone else in the event of an overdose. Overdose deaths generally don’t happen spontaneously and instead occur 1-3 hours after ingestion or injection of drugs. Young people, afraid to call the police because they are impaired or have drugs or alcohol in their possession, often delay seeking help and try ineffective and dangerous methods to revive the overdose victim. Many witnesses flee, and without competent and timely medical care, the patient dies.

LICADD’s Executive Director, Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds stated, “we are losing a staggering number of our children, neighbors and friends to overdoses on Long Island – about 1 per day. Most overdose deaths are preventable and given the opiate crisis in our region, Long Island’s lawmakers need to take the lead in getting this bill done. The families of overdose victims have spoken loud and clear; let’s hope the NYS Senate and Assembly respond accordingly.”

A link to the Long Island Press story is here.

“As a devoted father of twin girls, I am profoundly distressed by the current loss of life among our teens due to the pervasiveness of heroin abuse,” said Mangano. “I am looking forward to doing what I can to help LICADD end this crisis in our community and I welcome this opportunity to work with their dedicated team.”

Newly elected Board Chair Bill Baum stated, “We stand squarely in the center of one of the gravest crises to affect our children in decades. I am proud of the work accomplished by my predecessor, Curt Webster and remain confident that as LICADD grows, we can help save even more at-risk children and help more families put their lives back together.”

LICADD Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds joined the Board in welcoming Mangano to the LICADD team. “John brings a perfect blend of business acumen, community involvement and everyday experience as a father of teens and we very much appreciate his willingness to serve.”

This measure will provide limited immunity from prosecution for possession of small amounts of drugs or alcohol for those who call for medical assistance for themselves or someone else in the event of an overdose. Overdose deaths generally don’t happen spontaneously, and instead occur 1-3 hours after ingestion or injection of drugs. Young people, afraid to call the police because they are impaired or have drugs or alcohol in their possession, often delay seeking help and try ineffective and dangerous methods to revive the overdose victim. Many witnesses flee, and without competent and timely medical care, the patient dies.

Long Island is home to about 400 reported overdose deaths annually – more than 1 per day. Fatal overdoses in both Nassau and Suffolk have increased in the last five years, reflecting national trends. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of fatal opioid overdoses nationally tripled between 1999 and 2006, rising from 4,000 to 13,800 deaths annually. Emergency room visits related to the nonmedical use of opioids increased 111% during 2004-2008 and increased 29% during 2007-2008. Emergency room visits related to the nonmedical use of benzodiazepines increased 89% during 2004-2008 and increased 24% during 2007-2008.

Most overdose deaths are preventable and states are increasingly taking action to promote prompt calls for help. New Mexico, for example, passed 911 Good Samaritan legislation in 2007, while Washington State enacted the second such law that took effect two weeks ago, passing by large margins in both the Senate and House. Other states currently considering 911 Good Samaritan legislation include: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

More than 100 US colleges and universities have enacted written “911 Good Samaritan” or “medical amnesty” policies. A 2006 study in the International Journal of Drug Policy found that emergency calls doubled after Cornell University’s Good Samaritan Policy was enacted in 2002, although alcohol abuse rates have remained relatively constant.

LICADD believes that criminal penalties serve a useful purpose in anti-drug efforts, yet we also believe that the preservation of life is of paramount concern, particularly when it comes to low-level drug and alcohol offenses. Every minute a witness spends worrying about judicial consequences is another minute it will take for help to arrive. That minute can mean very literally the difference between life and death.

LICADD joins the U.S. Conference of Mayors, New York Academy of Medicine and a variety of other organizations in urging the immediate passage of A8147A/S5191.

News 12 coverage of our press conference is linked here.

News 12’s Andrew Ehinger blogs about the proposed law here.

Mr. Pinto completed his clinical training in alcohol and substance abuse counseling with LICADD’s Clinical Internship Program. Clinical Director Steven Chassman, LMSW stated, “as part of LICADD’s commitment to providing optimal services for families in crisis, we have developed a highly competitive and professionally challenging internship program to train the next generation of substance abuse and mental health professionals. We are delighted to have the opportunity to welcome one of the first graduates of this program to our team. ”

Steve commented, “I look forward to joining my colleagues at LICADD as they continue to combat the substance abuse epidemic that has swept across Long Island. I am excited to have this opportunity to work with an exceptionally talented and dedicated group of mental health professionals as we work to help save lives and families each day.”