Advice on drugs added to Manhasset graduation day

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Advice on drugs added to Manhasset graduation day

Responding to concerns about increased drug use, the Manhasset school officials said Thursday that they asked the Manhasset Coalition Against Substance Abuse to participate in the district’s annual College 101 Day, intended to help graduating seniors.

School board President Regina Rule said CASA had been helpful in educating her children about the dangers of drug and alcohol use and she believed the group’s message would be important to all students leaving Manhasset High School.

“Anecdotally, I know these programs have helped my own learn early on as well as their peers,” Rule said at the school board’s meeting Thursday.

Rule said the district works with the CASA to educate parents, students of all ages and members of the community to prevent substance abuse by students.

“Both the district and CASA do a number of things to combat substance abuse by our youth across all age levels,” she said.

Student delegate Elizabeth Boyle said she found CASA’s developmental programs very helpful and their presence at College 101 Day would be welcomed.

“It’s like having three programs all rolled in to one,” she said, referring to alcohol, drug, and other substance abuse counseling.

The parent of a Manhasset sophomore said she had seen students show up with alcohol at an off-site school special event approximately a year ago, and said she’s worried this may be a warm-weather trend.

“Literally, 10th-graders were walking around with big backpacks full of beer,” she said, “and it’s the parents who are buying it for them.”

Superintendent of Schools Charles Cardill, said the school district would respond immediately to any reports of students walking around with beer.

School officials said that the eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades are given surveys each year to determine the efficiency of CASA, in addition to “smart parenting” components.

School board trustees said they will continue to take proactive measures, as alcohol abuse and drug-taking are prevalent issues impacting youth of all ages.

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