Nassau police are ramping up a program that's aimed at fighting drug overdoses and providing a path to mental health services.

Operation Natalie was inspired by Victor Ciappa's 18-year-old daughter who died of a heroin overdose in 2008. She became the poster child for the beginning of the Long Island heroin epidemic.

Ciappa has been working with Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder on Operation Natalie.

The program is designed to educate and inform parents and users about available mental health services and counseling with the goal of providing a path to recovery.

"It could have been prevented if we knew the signs," says Ciappa. "We didn't have this weapon then and that's why we lost her."

Ryder says during the pandemic Operation Natalie became less of a priority due to other pressing issues.

"We lost our way when it came to COVID. We're bringing that fight back," says Ryder. "Our education, awareness, enforcement, diversion, treatment, and again the aftercare."

Curran announced Tuesday the importance of the program in helping to fight the mounting stress of the pandemic on residents.

"People were isolated. There was a lot of disbar, economic insecurity and isolation," says Curran.

Ciappa says parents need to stay involved in their child's life. "You are parents, not friends of your children."

Police say if a parent finds drugs, they can bring them to any precinct to be tested.