Advocates call for heroin addiction curriculum in LI schools
Posted: Updated:Activists in Rocky Point are urging schools to step up their curriculum regarding drug and alcohol prevention.
Anne Mattarella and other parents who lost children to addiction are joining with community advocates to call for more universal addiction awareness in schools across Long Island and New York state.
"I think there needs to be a class dedicated to this," says Mattarella.
Lauren Nardone's 17-year-old daughter Michelle died from a heroin overdose in their home. She says it's time to be blunt with kids when it comes to using drugs.
"Scare them. Show them the reality," says Nardone. "Show them Christmas, instead of opening gifts show the parents going to the cemetery."
The Rocky Point School District says it already has a substance abuse curriculum for grades K-12. In 2014, state lawmakers passed a law requiring health education classes be updated to reflect the opioid epidemic.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael F. Ring said in a statement to News 12 Long Island, "The district has been at the forefront in the creation and implementation of substance abuse programs for many years."
He also said that schools are staffed with "substance abuse counselors at the secondary level as well as mental health professionals districtwide who are resources for students on a daily basis."
In June 2016, the state Education Department issued a 39-page resource packet with information about grade level content.
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Hempstead officer, school board member to surrender after being indicted
Hempstead officer, school board member to surrender after being indicted
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Hempstead School Board Member and Hempstead Village Police Officer Randy Stith is expected to turn himself in this morning.
Periods of rain, gusty winds on tap for Long Island
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News 12 Long Island Weather Center
News 12 Long Island Weather Center
Rain totals could reach a half an inch to 1.5 inches.
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Geraldine Hart makes history as Suffolk's first female police commissioner
Geraldine Hart makes history as Suffolk's first female police commissioner
Geraldine Hart was confirmed as police commissioner in a unanimous vote on Tuesday night.
Geraldine Hart was confirmed as police commissioner in a unanimous vote on Tuesday night.
Geraldine Hart was confirmed as police commissioner in a unanimous vote on Tuesday night.
Geraldine Hart was confirmed as police commissioner in a unanimous vote on Tuesday night.
April 2018 special election results
April 2018 special election results
Island Vote 2018
Special elections were held to fill vacancies in three state Assembly districts on Long Island.
Special elections were held to fill vacancies in three state Assembly districts on Long Island.
'Karate Kid' arch-rivals Ralph Macchio, William Zabka back for series 'Cobra Kai'
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Several dozen protesters were outside Islip Town Hall Tuesday afternoon to speak out against a massive new apartment complex planned for the former Island Hills golf course.
Several dozen protesters were outside Islip Town Hall Tuesday afternoon to speak out against a massive new apartment complex planned for the former Island Hills golf course.
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Photos: Mother's Day gifts 2018
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Statue of Liberty
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2018 Pennysaver Amphitheater at Bald Hill lineup
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A look at the performers coming to the Pennysaver Amphitheater at Bald Hill in 2018.
A look at the performers coming to the Pennysaver Amphitheater at Bald Hill in 2018.
2018 Summer Stadium Tours
2018 Summer Stadium Tours
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Here are the artists who will be performing at tri-state stadiums this summer.
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Fire destroys businesses in Babylon Village
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Fire officials believe the fire began at Empire Nutrition, which was slated to have its grand opening Thursday.
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Musical acts coming this summer to the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City
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Florida Georgia Line is set to rock Atlantic City on July 13.
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Former first lady Barbara Bush through the years
Former first lady Barbara Bush through the years
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
