Volunteers with SAFE in Sag Harbor manned a table at HarborFest in early September, providing information about the organization, activities and supporting a favorite local event.
SAFE Spearheads “Project Sticker Shock” Targeting Adults Who Provide Alcohol to Youth
On Monday, August 6, SAFE in Sag Harbor, Sag Harbor Village Police, and HUGS, Inc., participated in a youth-led initiative to raise public awareness and change adult attitudes about providing alcohol to minors at local Sag Harbor businesses. Project Sticker Shock is a nation-wide program making an effort to reach adults who may be tempted to buy or provide alcohol for those under the age of 21. The consequences for supplying alcohol to minors, as well as hosting a party where underage drinking is allowed, are a fine up to $1000 or up to one year in jail.
The SAFE stickers stand out on the beer cases and other alcoholic beverages for all to see, and provide a strong reminder: to STOP, It is illegal to purchase or give alcohol to anyone under the age of 21; Penalties, fines, and jail time under Suffolk County and New York State Laws.
When adults supply alcohol to youth it sends a mixed message. Underage drinking is not a teen problem, but a community problem. Adults, youth, law enforcement, and retail stores need to be part of the solution. Student volunteers will place placards in store windows and stickers on cases to create awareness of the problems and penalties associated with underage drinking.
“A strong community message is sent when local businesses take responsibility for speaking out against underage drinking” says Kym Laube, Executive Director of HUGS, Inc. Laube states, “As we are in the midst of a National Epidemic, we must do all that we can to protect our youth. Keeping alcohol out of our youth’s developing brains does just that.”
Sag Harbor youth identify alcohol as the number one drug of choice and report that alcohol is the easiest substance to obtain. The Sticker Shock Campaign hopes to cause adults to think twice before making it any easier for youth to have access alcohol and to remind the community that youth are out most natural resource.
Five Pierson High School Students Represent SAFE In Sag Harbor At National Substance Use Prevention Training Conference
SAFE in Sag Harbor had a strong delegation of Pierson High School students representing their community at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)’s 17thannual mid-year training institute, held in Orlando the week of July 16. The five students—Graham DiLorenzo, Lucie Gardella, Kiarra Fuentes, Gaylin Davey, and Ava O'Shea and—joined nearly 2,000 substanceuse prevention and treatment specialists from around the world, gathered to find solutions to our community’s toughest substance use problems.
The students participated in the Youth Leadership sessions and training events, designed to help them become strong community leaders and change agents, addressing substance misuse on the East End.
“Attending the CADCA conference was an eye-opening opportunity to participate in activities with other students across the US who, like us want to improve our communities and reduce high risk decisions among our classmates. I look forward to applying some of the ideas that I brought home from the conference,” said Lucie Gardella, a Pierson High School student who attended the conference.
Also attending the conference were SAFE in Sag Harbor Project Coordinator Danielle Laibowitz and Program Director Kym Laube, youth intern Julia Russo,along with chaperone Jackie Aldrich.
“The four days of intensive training have armed us with new knowledge, skills, and strategies to continue to create environments in which Sag Harbor youth can thrive – healthy and drug-free,” said Danielle Laibowitz.
The conference covered a wide range of topics – everything from how to prevent prescription drug abuse and reduce heroin use to how to create tobacco-free environments, reduce impaired driving and develop policies to reduce marijuana use, synthetic drug use and underage drinking.
SAFE in Sag Harbor Action Plan 2018
DFC (“Drug Free Communities”) Goal One: Increase community collaboration
Objective 1: Increase by 10% the number of Coalition Members by 09/29/2018, compared to baseline, as evidenced by the Coalition Membership Roster.
Strategy 1: Communicate with faith-based organizations, parents, school, business, law enforcement, and criminal justice to increase collaboration and attract coalition membership.
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Present information on the Coalition mission through FIVE (5) presentations to community groups, organizations, and agencies.
Project Coordinator
Members
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Improve Coalition infrastructure and policy to promote greater community engagement and participation, such as scheduling both daytime and evening meetings to accommodate members with different schedules.
Project Coordinator
Executive Committee, Members
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Increase community knowledge and understanding of the issues through presentations at community meetings, media events, and publicizing the Coalition’s work, thereby raising broader community interest in coalition membership
Project Coordinator, Sectors
Complete all by 9/26/2018
Objective 2: Increase by 5% the diversity of the Coalition Membership by 09/29/2018, as compared to baseline, as evidenced by the Coalition Membership Roster.
Strategy 1: Diversify Coalition membership to be more representative of the various sectors of the community.
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Participate in ONE (1) multicultural event to foster relationships and recruit new members.
Project Coordinator membership, Other Org
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Conduct a Coalition Cultural Competence Audit
Board Leadership, Other Org, Project Coordinator
Complete by 11/30.2018
Reach out to underrepresented populations through regular communication channels and attending events/meetings of cultural groups.
Project Coordinator, Other Org, Media, Religious sector
Complete all by 03/29/2018
Objective 3: Increase by 10% the satisfaction of the Coalition Members: 90% of Coalition members will report satisfaction with their Coalition membership as measured by a Membership Satisfaction Survey by 09/29/2018.
Strategy 1: Establish clearly defined roles/responsibilities for members and opportunities for members to have ownership in Coalition work utilizing the following activities:
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Conduct Coalition Member Interest Inventory to identify member interests, skills, and abilities.
Project Coordinator, Chair, Sectors, Evaluator
5/30//2018
Facilitate monthly, quarterly and as needed meetings with ongoing communication, and participation in events and strategies.
ALL 12 Sectors, Coalition Chair,
Monthly through 9/29/2018
Objective 4: Increase by 10% the participation of the Coalition Members: The Coalition will secure active participation from 70% of its members by 09/29/2018 as compared to baseline of 60% as measured by coalition meeting attendance forms.
Strategy 1: Assess results of membership enrollment and participation and encourage and facilitate membership enrollment and active participation in Coalition activities.
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Continue to attract and engage new and existing members to build leadership, active participation, and resources and support.
ALL Sectors, Evaluator
Monthly, 9/29/2018
Continue to increase sector support (diverse populations, elected officials, businesses and faith community).
ALL Sectors, Sub-Committees
Complete by 09/29/2018
Ensure all sector members are involved in committee work relevant to their area of interest and expertise.
ALL 12 Sectors, Chairperson
Monthly 9/29/2018
Objective 5: Increase the knowledge of the Coalition Members: Increase by 10% the knowledge and understanding of members concerning advocacy and social monitoring of environmental risk factors as evidenced by an increase in participation in Coalition events and advocacy efforts by 9/29/2018 and measured by Event sign in sheets.
Strategy 1: Increase Coalition partnerships and the capacity of Coalition partners to recognize environmental risk factors and respond accordingly.
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Provide FIVE (5) trainings to members and stakeholders on environmental prevention topics and to build leadership skills.
Project Coordinator Sectors, Executive committee
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Educate members and stakeholders about events or incidents in the community that may encourage negative and positive behavior among youth and how to respond as necessary.
Project Coordinator, 12 Sectors,
Ongoing, 09/29/2018
Repeat the Comprehensive Community Needs Assessment
Project Coordinator, Sectors, Evaluator
Complete 03/31/2018
Disseminate results of Comprehensive Community Needs Assessment at a community event
Project Coordinator, Sectors, Evaluator
Complete 09/29/2018
DFC Goal Two: Reduce youth substance use.
Objective 1: By 9/29/18 reduce alcohol sales to minors aged 12-18 by 10% by reducing adolescent access to alcohol through policy change initiatives, as evidenced/measured by compliance checks conducted by local law enforcement.
Strategy 1: Educate local alcohol permit holders.
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Conduct environmental scan of store signage to ensure appropriate advertising and product placement.
ALL Sectors, Project Coordinator, Chamber of Commerce
1/31/2018
Partner with licensees to ensure appropriate ID checks and secure their commitment to reduce underage drinking.
Project Coordinator, Business, Law Enforcement
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Collaborate with local Police Departments in conducting quarterly alcohol retailer compliance checks and publicly recognizing compliant vendors.
Law Enforcement, Alcohol Control, Youth, Coalition membership
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Provide recognition of the results of the compliance checks of retailers and vendors in newspaper and other media
Project Coordinator, Media, Chamber of Commerce
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Strategy 2: Advocate for changes in law enforcement and court policies and practices related to alcohol use violations.
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Increase awareness of Social Host ordinance and promote stronger local enforcement by law enforcement.
Media, Youth, Law Enforcement
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Strategy 3: Decrease access to alcohol by Sag Harbor youth at public events.
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Request all festival organizers complete a self-audit of best practices on alcohol sales and service
Members
4/31/2018
Target one of the annual outdoor events where alcohol is openly served
Members
4/31/2018
Identify event sponsors and alcohol vendors
Project Coordinator and Business Sector
6/30/2018
Meet with vendors and provide resources (signage, ID checkers, etc.)
Project Coordinator and Business Sector
6/30/2018
Work with local government to require vendor training and designated alcohol areas at outdoor events as part of the permitting process
Project Coordinator 12 Sectors
10/31/20188
Objective 2: By 9/29/18 reduce cigarette sales and vaping paraphernalia to minors under the age of 21 by 10% by reducing adolescent access to such through policy change initiatives, as measured by compliance checks conducted by the Suffolk County Department of Health and/or local police departments.
Strategy 1: Educate local tobacco vendors.
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Conduct environmental scan of store signage to ensure appropriate advertising and product placement including “vaping” products
All sectors, Project Coordinator, Chamber of Commerce
7/31/2018
Partner with vendors to ensure appropriate ID checks and secure their commitment to reducing tobacco use, including vaping
Project Coordinator, Business Sector, Law Enforcement, Health Dept.
Complete all by 7/31/18
Provide recognition and celebration of compliant vendors in newspaper and other media
Project Coordinator, Media, Business , Youth
Complete all by 8/31/2018
Strategy 2: Educate parents about common methods youth use to obtain e-cigarettes and vaping.
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Conduct Parent workshops on current trends in e-cigarette and vaping use among youth
Project Coordinator, Training Consultant, sectors
Complete all by 9/29/2018
Make information available through school, media and internet about e-cigarette and vaping use trends and how youth are obtaining e-cigarettes and vaping
Project Coordinator, Social Media Coordinator
Complete all by 9/29/2018
Objective 3: By 9/29/18, increase by 10% the number of public awareness campaigns regarding effective alcohol and tobacco abuse prevention, as measured by the number of community events, trainings, and media reports in the catchment area.
Strategy 1: Coordinate school and community based campaigns promoting anti-drug messaging to change the perception of normative behaviors.
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Plan and host Red Ribbon Week Events emphasizing alcohol abuse and tobacco prevention, coordinated with retailers, schools, law enforcement, student groups, and others.
Project Coordinator, Youth, Media, Law Enforcement, Business, Education
Complete all by 10/31/2018
Plan, Promote, and Implement a Parents Who Host Lose the Most campaign targeting social host consequences and youth alcohol abuse.
Project Coordinator, Youth, Media
Complete all by 5/31/2018
Implement PSA Campaign educating the public about issues related to youth alcohol abuse.
Project Coordinator, Youth, Media Retailers
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Implement the “Sticker Shock” campaign focused on youth alcohol abuse prevention, in coordination with local vendors, youth, and law enforcement
Project Coordinator, Youth, Media, Retailers
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Objective 4: By 9/29/18, increase by 10% the number of public awareness campaigns regarding effective marijuana use prevention, as measured by the number of community events, trainings, and media reports in the catchment area.
Strategy 1: Coordinate school and community based campaigns promoting anti-drug messaging to change the perception of normative behaviors
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Plan and host Red Ribbon Week Events emphasizing marijuana use prevention, coordinated with schools, law enforcement, student groups, and others.
Project Coordinator, Youth, Media, Law Enforcement, Business
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Implement PSA Campaign educating the public about issues related to youth marijuana abuse.
Project Coordinator, Youth, Media Retailers
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Objective 5: By 9/29/18, promote awareness and education on the effect of substance use (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, Rx drugs) to the community and schools as measured by a 10% increase of attendees at trainings, seminars, town hall meetings.
Strategy 1: Provide trainings and technical assistance on alcohol to teachers, parents and professionals that work with youth.
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Identify training needs among youth-serving professionals and parents
ALL Sectors, Project Coordinator, Youth
Complete all by 12/31/2017
Provide three (3) trainings throughout the year on reducing youth alcohol use
Project Coordinator, Youth, Parent, School
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Disseminate training materials and information pertaining to prevention and alcohol use via mail, e-mail, and the Coalition website.
Project Coordinator, Media, and volunteers
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Objective 6: By 9/29/18, increase youth mobilization and advocacy by 10% as measured by Coalition Membership Attendance Records noting the attendance of youth at the activities listed.
Strategy 1: Train youth groups and peer educators to advocate for change on their campuses and among their peers.
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Train youth on the issues relating to underage drinking, risks of harm related to marijuana, tobacco and e-cigarette use.
Project Coordinator, Youth
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Engage youth to become advocates for a safe, healthy, and drug-free community.
Youth, Parents, Project Coordinator
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Present educational program at school boards, schools, businesses, and other community events.
Youth, Project Coordinator
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Provide information about social host laws on web sites, town hall meeting, school meetings, PTA meetings, student athletics, rotary club, religious orgs.
Youth, Project Coordinator
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Partner youth membership with the Tobacco Action Coalition, coordinated by the Suffolk County Health Department
Project Coordinator, Youth
Complete all by 9/29/2018
Strategy 2: Encourage School Districts’ to implement district-wide policy changes.
Activity
Who is responsible?
By when?
Recruit youth advocates and teacher sponsors
Project Coordinator, Youth, schools
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Train youth as advocates for policy change to attend school based meetings
Youth, Parents, Project Coordinator, Schools
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Attend School Board Meetings and advocate for policy change, participate in School Policy Committee meetings
Youth, Project Coordinator, Schools
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Encourage Coalition Membership involvement with School Board officials.
Youth, Project Coordinator, Schools
Complete all by 09/29/2018
Encourage School District and Board to include e-cigarette and vaping provisions in their substance use policies
Project Coordinator, Youth, Schools
Complete all by 9/29/2018
Take The Pledge
3 Reasons To Take Part In Red Ribbon Week
School hallways across the U.S. will be adorned with Red Ribbons throughout the week, starting on Monday, October 23. That's because they are participating in the Red Ribbon Campaign, organized by the National Family Partnership, the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation. It's a week set aside for everyone in the community to come together toward a common goal: create a drug-free America. The red ribbon symbolizesintolerance towards the use of drugs.
Sag Harbor schools and those in many of the surrounding communities will work with students--and their families--to provide workshops and training in making healthy lifestyle choices.
So why should you be a part of Red Ribbon Week?
1. Note the name of the sponsor: the National Family Partnership. Family. Partnership. Working together is key.
2. The Red Ribbon Campaign is designed to get people talking, and that includes parents talking to their kids about the risks of drug use. If not now, when?
3. A main point of the campaign is mass participation. The more people who hear the message, the easier it is to promote positive change.
What are you waiting for? Take the pledge.
It's A Red Ribbon Week!
SAFE in Sag Harbor and the Sag Harbor School District invite the community to take a visible stand against drugs by celebrating Red Ribbon Week from October 23-31, 2017.
Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs facing our community, and encourages parents, educators, business owners, and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles.
Pierson Middle/High School has many wellness related activities and events planned for the week including two motivational speakers. On October 25, Dan Occhiogrosso will speak to students in seventh and eight grade about making the hard choices, and living for something bigger than yourself. On October 26, Matt Bellace, comedian and psychologist, will speak to parents and the community about natural highs and making a difference with your peers. He will also talk with middle school students the next day. The Middle School will cap the week off with a dodgeball tournament.
“Red Ribbon Week encourages our entire community to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles,” said Danielle Laibowitz, project coordinater for SAFE in Sag Harbor. “The campaign brings together parents, schools, and businesses as we look for innovative ways to keep kids and communities drug free.”
SAFE continues to work with community leaders to engage our community to reduce alcohol and other drug use by our youth and to encourage healthy alternative choices. We are always looking for community members to join us. If you want more information or want to get involved, please contact Danielle Laibowitz, Project Coordinator for SAFE in Sag Harbor at coordinator@safeinsagharbor.org.
The Big Take Back
SAFE in Sag Harbor and the Sag Harbor Police Department will take back prescription and non-prescription meds for safe disposal at the Sag Harbor Firehouse on Main Street.
Are You Motivated?
Comedian, psychologist and motivational speaker Matt Bellace will talk to parents and all in the Sag Harbor community on Thursday, October 26, at 7 p.m., in the Pierson auditorium. He will talk about natural highs and making a difference in the community with your peers. This is NOT TO BE MISSED!
Back To School: How To Help Your Teen Manage Stress
For parents, back-to-school time is something of a relief, but for kids it’s often the return of stress and anxiety that was held at bay during the fun of summer. It’s normal for teens to experience a certain level of stress when returning to school‑adolescence is in and of itself a stressful time‑but as the pressure from parents, peers and themselves builds it can sometimes become unhealthy.
The key here is to understand the difference between normal stress and when it becomes an issue of concern.
According to the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids (https://drugfree.org/parent-blog/school-stress-healthy-stress-vs-red-flag-stress), while stress can be helpful and push a teen to perform better, it is “critical, though, that teens undergoing stress have the ability to function well at school and home.”
Red flags to look for, according to drugfree.org, are:
- Changes in eating habits
- Difficulty falling sleep or staying asleep
- Significant mood changes, including depression, anxiety, panic or anger.
- Demonstrating violent behaviors
- Using alcohol, marijuana or prescription drugs to deal with stress.
Parents can help their teens manage stress. The key is being available to provide support when needed. When stress becomes too much for your teen to manage, seek mental health counseling or other support services.
Kym Laube is the program director of SAFE in Sag Harbor, a community-based organization dedicated to creating a substance-abuse-free environment in Sag Harbor, safeinsagharbor.org
Parents: Four Ways To Build Your Child's Self-Esteem
Good choices flow from healthy self-esteem. Children who feel good about themselves know they are valued, feel confident, and feel ready to take on everyday challenges. One of those challenges could be making the right choice between engaging in a risky behavior or not.
Conversely, a child with low self-esteem lacks confidence, feel insecure and, as a result, be easily influenced by peers to use a “quick fix” purported to make them feel better about themselves.
SAFE in Sag Harbor is there to help our children make the right choices and avoid influences that may put them at risk. Part of that is building healthy self-esteem. As I travel locally and across the nation giving presentations on making good choices, the biggest challenge young people express is the struggle to feel confident and strong. They feel constant pressure from so many sources.
A 2006 study titled “Low Self-Esteem During Adolescence Predicts Poor Health, Criminal Behavior, and Limited Economic Prospects During Adulthood,” noted that it has been “theorized that children and adolescents with low self-esteem seek out various forms of antisocial behavior as a way of enhancing their self worth.” Moreover, the study noted that “low self-esteem children and adolescents may also receive less attention and support from parents, teachers and peers. For example, a low self-esteem child may appear quiet and withdrawn and may not be willing or able to ask a teacher for help with needed.”
http://208.112.107.53/sites/default/files/TRZESNIEWSKI_2006_AJP.pdf
So where does positive self-esteem come from? It comes from positive experiences that help a child feel capable, effective and accepted (http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/self-esteem.html#). It is not the result of praise for every action but rather learning from mistakes and understanding that hard work and practice pay off.
Four ways you can help your child develop positive self-esteem are:
1. When teaching how to do things, show and help your child at first, but then allow mistakes. Don’t make new challenges too easy (or difficult).
2. Use praise but avoid too much. Praise effort rather than the result.
3. Avoid harsh criticism and focus on strengths.
4. Be a good role model. Yes, it always comes back to this.
Kym Laube is the program director of SAFE in Sag Harbor, a community-based organization dedicated to creating a substance-abuse-free environment in Sag Harbor, safeinsagharbor.org