Riverhead Community Awareness Program Inc

During the final year (no cost extension, year 11) of the drug-free communities grant period (2023-2024), the riverhead community coalition for safe and drug-free youth generated 619 accomplishments/outputs directed toward reducing underage drinking, prescription drug abuse, underage vape use (e-cigarettes) and cannabis use, as well as increasing coalition capacity. These included 29 community actions directed towards changing policies, programs and practices; 38 community changes that resulted from the community actions; 149 services provided to over 81,091 individuals; over 6 million media impressions; and 21 organizational improvements. Areas of success included: increasing partnerships with the riverhead police department to provide outreach and resources to vendors at events where alcohol is served; increasing partnerships, programming, and resources in riverhead central school district to reduce student vaping and parent outreach; proving signage for local beaches in english and spanish specific to substance-free zones in riverhead; continued development and expansion of the youth coalition and successful implementation of youth coalition driven activities; outreach to build new relationships to better serve the community; continued implementation of marijuana zoning and smoke free ordinances; staff members taking advantage of available technical assistance and training; strong environmental strategy implementation on prescription drug abuse, cannabis and underage drinking;developing new community relationships and partnerships to increase reach in the community including spanish language media outlets and translations; training staff to become narcan trainers and social workers in sbirt implementation; and expanding prescription drug safety practices, drop off awareness and opportunities that resulted in the collection of 1,043 pounds of unwantedand unused medications.

During the 2023-2024 school year, cap social workers provided individual, group, and family counseling as well as significant crisis intervention services, assessments and referrals to 105 students in riverhead high school, middle school and two elementary schools. There were a total of 862 counseling sessions. In addition, 81 students were seen in 9 social skills groups (typically using evidence-based programs) in the two elementary schools. At least 80% of the students who continued with individual, group or family counseling, or who were seen for crisis intervention showed improvement in one or more measurable areas. The role of school based prevention counseling is to address risk factors for future substance abuse and to teach students to appropriate coping strategies.