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Politics & Government

Group Holds Day of Fun to Spread Message

Glen Cove's SAFE, Inc. held Family Awareness Day to spread the word about substance abuse and prevention.

Glen Cove's Substance Abuse Free Environment, Inc. hosted its fifth annual Family Awareness Day Saturday in Morgan Park.

The carnival-style event was an opportunity for the non-profit to spread knowledge about substance abuse prevention and SAFE's range of services. Executive director Sharon Harris said the day's activities succeeded in reaching hundreds of Glen Cove's children and their parents.

The organization, along with its community outreach PRIDE Project Coalition, works to reduce substance abuse among the youth of the Glen Cove community in conjunction with other non-profit entities and city agencies. 

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In 2006, the city adopted Nassau County's first "Social Host" Law, which makes it a violation for adults to permit alcohol use in their homes by persons under the age of 21. In 2007, the law was adopted county-wide.

Harris said that results of bi-annual teen surveys reflect SAFE and other city departments' work in prevention. She said the group's achievements are owed to community awareness events like Saturday's.

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"Events like these are very important to what we do because we're able to reach out to the parents and kids in a fun environment," said Harris, flanked by Glen Cove city councilman Tony Jimenez.

Jimenez, a member of SAFE's Community Committee, which serves as a strategic think tank for prevention and enforcement, also volunteers with Glen Cove's Emergency Medical Services. He said his experience there allows him to see firsthand the effects of alcohol abuse by underage drinkers.

"Many times, especially after proms, the big football games or during summer, we see upticks in alcohol abuse. We've had a few overdoses," said Jimenez. 

The carnival focused on reaching the community's younger members before they get to that point.

"It was a very nice event," said Alexandra Martinez, a mother of two who attended after seeing the ads for the event.

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