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“Information and awareness are the first line of defense when it comes to combating the heroin epidemic,” Senator Serino said.
“As students of all ages head back to school, it’s the best time to put a spotlight on the issue by helping to provide the resources necessary to be proactive in protecting our children," she said.
The funding was delivered to local, community drug prevention organizations—and Drug Crisis in Our Backyard and the Council on Addiction Prevention and Education of Dutchess County, Inc. (CAPE)—through state education grants.
Both organizations work to raise awareness about preventing drug abuse and have demonstrated success in local communities.
Drug Crisis in Our Backyard was started in 2012 by Steve and Susan Salomone and Carol and Lou Christiansen after the tragic losses of their sons to heroin overdoses.
The nonprofit community action organization seeks to de-stigmatize addiction in hopes of raising awareness for the epidemic plaguing communities across the country.
“Although we are pleased at the recent spotlight that is being shed on the drug epidemic, we want to make sure that parents do not become complacent regarding the threat to their children," said Steven Salomone, one of the co-founders of Drug Crisis in Our Backyard.
Susan Salomone, who is president of Drug Crises in Our Backyard, said “With the grant money we are receiving, we will be helping parents in that respect with awareness, educational and prevention activity."
"In addition, our efforts in support of families who are already struggling with this disease include a peer to peer support group and Narcan training on Oct. 17 in the East Fishkill Town Hall at 10 a.m," Susan Salomone said.
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