A path to recovery District holds drug awareness event strated how the root cause of his with everything in life. Nothing addiction was not the craving for was ever good enough for me,” the drug itself, but a dissatisfaction Dodge said. “I always wanted with his menmore. How could Parents and students gathered “I keep friends around me I get the next recently at an event that spread tal well-being who tell me I am doing the thing? How do I awareness of a continually exat a young age. He emphasized wrong thing, not people who get a better verpanding issue among high schoolhow accomplish- will co-sign what I’m doing.” sion of this?” ers: drug addiction. - Steven Dodge However, aling any objective Hosted at Brookside by BellS.L.A.T.E. Project founder cohol, which was more-Merrick organizations and would not result in fulfillment, but what Dodge belocal politicians, the event featured rather its complete opposite. lieved could fulfill this lack of selfseveral guest speakers who shed light on the impact of addiction on “That’s how my mind-set was satisfaction, only further amplified what he referred to as his “Steven” problem. “I do not have a drug and alcohol problem. I have a ‘Steven’ problem; drugs and alcohol were my solution,” Dodge said. The ability to break away from this dependence on alcohol and ask for professional help did not transpire until years after Dodge’s addiction. Because of this, he strongly advocates, especially to young adolescents, the importance of preventing or halting the issue as soon as possible. In terms of one of the most effective ways to avoid a drug addiction, Dodge advises individuals to utilize passions and healthy hobbies as distractions. “There are positive addictions and habits that will better yourself as a person,” Dodge said. “If I am feeling good about myself, there is no reason for me to use drugs and alcohol since I used them to mask feelings of negativity that I had.” Following his presentation, Dodge received utter appreciation (photo by Skyler Basco) from the audience, whom in turn, On the annual MLK Day of Service, Breana Raehse, Michelle Serban, and Megan Trageser gained a different outlook on life itself. Mesmerized by his powerful prepare donation bags for the Community Cupboard. by Skyler Basco News Editor
today’s youth. One presenter was the founder of The S.L.A.T.E. Project, Steven Dodge, who has spoken at various schools across Long Island to educate individuals about drug abuse prevention. Dodge shocked the audience by sharing his compelling journey from a young alcoholic to a drug abuse prevention advocate and counselor. In his speech, Dodge demon-
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