Drug & Alcohol Abuse Discussed at BOE Meeting

At Wednesday's Lindenhurst Board of Education community forum meeting, the spotlight was turned on a topic many parents and students agreed was a larger problem in the Lindenhurst School District and the community as a whole: drugs and alcohol.

Ann Marie Thomson said it's a big problem in the community, noting in recent years many of her friends "have buried quite a few of their kids" because of drug and alcohol abuse.

She said we need to get back to emphasizing and teaching kids the ill effects of drugs and alcohol, and it needs to start from elementary school on up.

For instance, "we used to do D.A.R.E. in the schools," she said.

Lindenhurst Middle School Principal Frank Naccarato said they still have police officers come and talk to the kids about drugs and alcohol.

But she said more needs to be done. "Please look at other programs because this is a killer," she pleaded.

CJ Thomson suggested putting together a drug and alcohol task force.

"We really need it in the District," the Adelphi University freshman and Class of 2012 alum said.

"From elementary school to high school, what's happening in the schools. Kids in middle school addicted, and starting in elementary school. We need to come together - students, staff, community members. We need to protect our students," he continued.

"There are options for programs that are free to schools, too," noted Regina Cuffaro.

Jackie Kostrzewski, who works at First District Court in Central Islip, suggested having students visit the drug court there.

"They do a good job showing the other side of what this life is like," she said.

BOE President Donna Hochman thought this was a good idea, and asked Kostrzewski to get her some information about it.

Another resident also mentioned a new club that was formed called Athletes against Drugs. She said there were 20 to 30 members now, but she'd love to see it grow to more than 100 members. She thanked the coaches and advisors for putting it together.

Lynn Aniello asked if the District had a policy that wouldn't let a child back in school without attending a program first.

"Social workers work with the kids to resolve these issues. But we can't say you can't come back to school," answered Superintendent Richard Nathan.

She countered there must be rehab programs for kids who need help.

Lou Aiello, assistant to the superintendent for special education and pupil personnel services who's retiring this month, noted currently the District has 14 students at South Oaks, three at Daytop and two students at the program at Eastern Suffolk BOCES.

To that Aniello responded, "Wow, that's a lot of kids."

BOE Trustee Ray Doran noted at the January 16 meeting that programs outlining the ills of drugs and alcohol have taken place in response to some drinking incidents with some of the sports teams in recent years.

He also conceded that while broader "initiatives are being taken, the bottom line is we need to do more."

To that end Nathan and the Board, for their part, resolved to look at all of their options.

Related Coverage:

• Lindy Speaks Out on Drug & Alcohol Problems Plaguing Kids

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