The district’s Prevention Task Force hosted a Substance Use and Mental Health Community Information and Resource Event at the Junior-Senior High School on Feb. 11.

In collaboration with Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony D’Esposito and the East Rockaway Village Foundation, the event included a panel discussion, resource fair and Narcan training. 

The goal was to provide East Rockaway residents and neighboring communities with mental health and substance use prevention strategies, treatment options, and information about warning signs and recovery.

The panel discussion included experts and speakers who shared important information and powerful personal experiences, in an effort to decrease the stigma around mental health and substance use disorders and increase awareness and access to available supports.  

During the resource fair, seven local mental health and chemical dependency organizations were on site, where representatives from each organization offered information and assistance to community members interested in learning more about the local services available. Organizations that participated in the fair included Families in Support of Treatment, Long Beach Reach, Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency, Mental Health Association of Nassau County and more.

The Narcan training portion of the event included information on the signs of an opiate overdose and instructions on how to administer the potentially lifesaving opiate overdose medication naloxone (narcan). Those who participated in the training were provided a free Narcan Overdose Rescue Kit. The take home kit, and training, were provided by Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony D'Esposito.