Manhasset CASA invites parents, youth and all community residents to attend its Communities Talk Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, April 20th at 7:30 p.m. in Manhasset High School’s Auditorium. The event is part of a national initiative that seeks to raise awareness about the negative impact of underage drinking and mobilize the community to take action to prevent underage drinking.
Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas is CASA’s featured speaker who will address why underage drinking is not a minor problem in any community. Local experts in attendance will be Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, Ph.D., President & CEO Family & Children’s Association discussing Parenting in a Culture of Underage Drinking; Lara Hunter, LCSW, Coordinator, Stony Brook University Center for Prevention & Outreach National Director Red Watch Band discussing The Reality of College Drinking; Jessica Houser, Ph.D. Project Director, CASPIR Center for Addiction Services & Psychotherapy Interventions Research Northwell Health discussing The Effect of Alcohol Use Has on Teen Emotional and Physical Well Being; and Maureen McCormick, Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Cases discussing Choices and Legal Consequences of Underage Drinking. The local experts will also be available to answer parent and community questions.
“We invite everyone to this important town hall meeting. Talking honestly about the reality of underage drinking and how it affects our youth and community is a first step in changing the culture of this problem. We need to work together as a community to prevent underage drinking and help facilitate the healthy growth of our children and young adults”,” said Dr. Caryn Sawyer, Executive Director of Manhasset CASA.
In Manhasset, students report* drinking alcohol in the past 30 days at 5.6% of 8th graders (National Norm is 10.2%); 38.3% of 10th graders (National Norm is 25.7%) and 65.6 % of 12th graders (National Norm is 39.2%). Binge drinking also continues to be a concern in the Manhasset community. Binge Drinking is defined as having 5 or more alcoholic drinks in a row in the past 2 weeks. While 10/12th graders report* a decrease in binge drinking since 2009, binge drinking is still significantly above the national norm: 20.5% of 10th graders (National Norm 13.7%); 47.4% of 12th graders (National Norm 22.1%); 8th grade student binge drinking increased slightly to 2% (National 5.1%). (*2016 Bach Harrison Prevention Needs Assessment Survey)
For more information about getting involved with CASA or its Town Hall Meeting, contact Manhasset CASA at 267-7548 or go to www.manhassetcasa.org. To learn more about this national initiative, go to https://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/townhallmeetings. You can also join the online conversation at #CommunitiesTalk.
