The Village of Flower Hill and the Women’s Club of Flower Hill are teaming up to educate residents on heroin and substance abuse.
“The Nassau County Police Department is reaching out to many villages, schools and organizations across the county to introduce and offer its substance abuse outreach program,” village Mayor Elaine Phillips said. “The village decided to take advantage of this offer, while enhancing the program by incorporating a discussion with families impacted by substance abuse. The Village of Flower Hill along with the Women’s Club of Flower Hill and Manhasset Casa are dedicated to bringing knowledge and compassion to the growing need for awareness, prevention and recovery assistance.”
The village, along with Nassau County Detective Pamela Stark, will host a “Family Community Event” to discuss the rise of heroin and substance abuse at 7 p.m. on June 8 at Village Hall, located at 1 Bonnie Heights Road in Manhasset.
Officials said the community event is to encourage conversation, promote awareness and find solutions to a growing problem facing Long Island.
“Collaboration across all communities is essential to combat the prescription drug and heroin epidemic,” said Caryn Sawyer, executive director of the Manhasset Community Coalition Against Substance Abuse. “The Village of Flower Hill is commended for its substance abuse education awareness initiative that will encourage family discussion on this important issue.”
Officials said Stark will also discuss how to keep your home and communities safe due to the increase in crime that some local areas are encountering.
Village Treasurer and Deputy Clerk Kathy Wade said there hasn’t been an apparent increase in substance abuse, but the village wants to educate residents.
“For us at this point we’re just trying to focus on getting the knowledge out that it’s not so much about the facts but more on the understanding that this affects all of us,” she said.
Guest speakers at the event will include Kings Park resident Linda Ventura, who will share her story of the loss of her son, and Anthony Rizutto from Seafield Addiction Facility.
Refreshments will be served and free ice cream will be given out by the local ice cream truck after the event.
